mineral

Rhodochrosite

Manganese carbonate (MnCO3)

Mohs hardness: 3.5-4.0. Color: pink to reddish-rose, often with white or cream banding. Luster: vitreous to pearly. Crystal system: Trigonal. Specific gravity: 3.5-3.7.

Hardness: 3
Color: pink to reddish-rose, often with white or cream banding
Luster: vitreous to pearly

Identified July 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness: 3.5-4.0. Color: pink to reddish-rose, often with white or cream banding. Luster: vitreous to pearly. Crystal system: Trigonal. Specific gravity: 3.5-3.7.

Formation & geological history

Forms primarily as a hydrothermal vein mineral in low-temperature ore deposits, and as a secondary mineral in manganese-rich sedimentary rocks. The banded variety is often found in stalactitic caves.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a gemstone for jewelry (beads, cabochons) and as a decorative stone. It is also an ore of manganese.

Geological facts

Known as the 'Inca Rose' because the Incas believed it was the solidified blood of their ancestral kings. It is the national gemstone of Argentina and the state mineral of Colorado.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinct pink color, common white zig-zag banding, and its softness (it can be scratched by a copper coin). Found in Argentina, Peru, South Africa, and the USA.