Provenite

Capillitas Mine

MineUnknownDraft data

27.3392° S, 66.3881° W · ± 10 km

Rhodochrosite from Catamarca, Argentina, with photos of specimens from this locality.

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Minerals found here

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite at Capillitas Mine

Tip-end slice of a large banded pink rhodochrosite stalactite from the Capillitas Mine.
Tip-end slice of a large banded pink rhodochrosite stalactite from the Capillitas Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Polished thick slice of a rhodochrosite stalactite showing concentric growth rings, Capillitas Mine.
Polished thick slice of a rhodochrosite stalactite showing concentric growth rings, Capillitas Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Thumbnail-sized rhodochrosite stalactite about 2.5 cm long from the Capillitas Mine.
Thumbnail-sized rhodochrosite stalactite about 2.5 cm long from the Capillitas Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Polished tip-end slice of a banded deep pink rhodochrosite stalactite from the Capillitas Mine.
Polished tip-end slice of a banded deep pink rhodochrosite stalactite from the Capillitas Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Polished slice through a large rhodochrosite stalactite formed from two stalactites grown side by side, Capillitas Mine.
Polished slice through a large rhodochrosite stalactite formed from two stalactites grown side by side, Capillitas Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
MnCO₃
Morphology
Banded stalactites with concentric growth rings; massive
Typical size
Photographed slices are 7-10 cm across
Color / luster
Pink to deep pink
Associated minerals
Sphalerite
Availability
Scarce
History
Locally known as Inca Rose (Rosa del Inca)

Sources: SRC-396 SRC-402

About Rhodochrosite →

Geology of the locality

Setting
Vein deposit in the Capillitas mining district; the Restauradora vein is about 50 cm thick and 106 m long.
Type
Hydrothermal
Region
Catamarca
Country
Argentina

Coordinates are those given on Mindat for the Restauradora vein of the Capillitas district (27 deg 20 min 21 s S, 66 deg 23 min 17 s W), used here for the mine as a whole, hence +/- 10 km.

Sources: SRC-396

Sources

  1. SRC-396 · Database
    Restauradora vein, Capillitas mining district, Andalgala Department, Catamarca Province, ArgentinaMindat.org contributors · Mindat.org / Hudson Institute of Mineralogy
  2. SRC-402 · Website
    Wikimedia Commons: Rhodochrosite-130091.jpg (Capillitas)Lavinsky, R.M. · Wikimedia Commons

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.