Provenite

Manuelita Mine (Morococha)

MineUnknownDraft data

11.6113° S, 76.1392° W · ± 10 km

Rhodochrosite from Junín, Peru, with photos of specimens from this locality.

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Minerals found here

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite at Manuelita Mine (Morococha)

Salmon-pink rhodochrosite in rough blades across matrix, Manuelita Mine, Morococha.
Salmon-pink rhodochrosite in rough blades across matrix, Manuelita Mine, Morococha.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A knob of matrix covered on one side with opaque salmon-coloured rhodochrosite crystals to 1 cm, Manuelita Mine.
A knob of matrix covered on one side with opaque salmon-coloured rhodochrosite crystals to 1 cm, Manuelita Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A plate of salmon-pink rhodochrosite covered with tightly intergrown small rhombs, Manuelita Mine.
A plate of salmon-pink rhodochrosite covered with tightly intergrown small rhombs, Manuelita Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A plate of rhodochrosite pseudomorphs after baryte crystals on massive rhodochrosite, Manuelita Mine.
A plate of rhodochrosite pseudomorphs after baryte crystals on massive rhodochrosite, Manuelita Mine.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
MnCO₃
Morphology
Crusts of rough blades and small sharp rhombs on matrix; pseudomorphs after baryte; banded massive material
Typical size
Crystals to about 1 cm
Color / luster
Salmon-pink; banded massive material rarely homogeneous dark pink
Associated minerals
Baryte
Availability
Commonly available
History
Main Peruvian source of rhodochrosite for cabochons and carvings, in commercial quantities since the late 1990s; specimen finds in 2001-2002

Sources: SRC-866 SRC-877 SRC-878

About Rhodochrosite →

Geology of the locality

Setting
Polymetallic (Ag-Zn-Cu-Pb) district of Morococha in the central Andes.
Type
Hydrothermal
Region
Junín
Country
Peru

Coordinates are those of Morococha (Wikipedia), placing the mine at district level, hence +/- 10 km.

Sources: SRC-867

Sources

  1. SRC-867 · Website
    MorocochaWikipedia contributors · Wikipedia
  2. SRC-866 · Database
    Manuelita Mine, Morococha District, Yauli Province, Junín, PeruGemdat.org contributors (citing J. Hyrsl, Gemstones of Peru, 2012) · Gemdat.org / Hudson Institute of Mineralogy
  3. SRC-877 · Website
    File:Rhodochrosite-156129.jpgRobert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons (dealer label)
  4. SRC-878 · Website
    File:Rhodochrosite-24367.jpgRobert M. Lavinsky · Wikimedia Commons (dealer label)

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.