Provenite

About Rhodochrosite

MnCO₃

The rose-red manganese carbonate, softer than rhodonite and forming a complete solid-solution series with siderite. It is prized as crystals and as banded ornamental material.

Show 45 localities on the map

Photos of Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite specimen labelled as from the Kerch Peninsula, Crimea.
Rhodochrosite · Kerch Peninsula
Rhodochrosite specimen labelled as from the Kerch Peninsula, Crimea.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A sharp rust-red rhodochrosite blade on matrix from the Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Rhodochrosite · Mont Saint-Hilaire
A sharp rust-red rhodochrosite blade on matrix from the Poudrette quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A cluster of bright pink translucent bladed rhodochrosite crystals on massive rhodochrosite, Cavnic.
Rhodochrosite · Cavnic
A cluster of bright pink translucent bladed rhodochrosite crystals on massive rhodochrosite, Cavnic.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Salmon-pink rhodochrosite crystals covering matrix, Pachapaqui District, Ancash.
Rhodochrosite · Pachapaqui Mining District
Salmon-pink rhodochrosite crystals covering matrix, Pachapaqui District, Ancash.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A group of pink rhodochrosite rhombs of various sizes on matrix from the Wutong Mine, Guangxi.
Rhodochrosite · Wutong Mine (Wudong Mine), Liubao
A group of pink rhodochrosite rhombs of various sizes on matrix from the Wutong Mine, Guangxi.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Tip-end slice of a large banded pink rhodochrosite stalactite from the Capillitas Mine.
Rhodochrosite · 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
Plate of translucent rose-red rhodochrosite rhombs to 1.6 cm on quartz-rich matrix, Butte, Montana.
Rhodochrosite · Emma Mine
Plate of translucent rose-red rhodochrosite rhombs to 1.6 cm on quartz-rich matrix, Butte, Montana.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
A lustrous, gemmy, stepped rhodochrosite rhombohedron from the Huayllapon Mine, Pasto Bueno.
Rhodochrosite · Pasto Bueno District (Huayllapon Mine)
A lustrous, gemmy, stepped rhodochrosite rhombohedron from the Huayllapon Mine, Pasto Bueno.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Where Rhodochrosite is found (45)

Argentina

Australia

Brazil

Bulgaria

Canada

China

Gabon

Germany

Greece

Japan

Kazakhstan

Kosovo

Mexico

Peru

Romania

South Africa

Ukraine

United States

Rhodochrosite on the same specimen with other minerals

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Kerch Peninsula

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Black Rock Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Cavnic

3 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Cavnic

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Butte Mining District

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Taxco de Alarcón

3 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Sphalerite with Rhodochrosite at Eagle Mine (Gilman)

4 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with sphalerite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Chalcopyrite with Rhodochrosite at Eagle Mine (Gilman)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with chalcopyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Pachapaqui Mining District

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Pachapaqui Mining District

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Pachapaqui Mining District

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Pasto Bueno District (Huayllapon Mine)

3 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Chalcopyrite with Rhodochrosite at Starnitsa deposit (Davidkovo ore field)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with chalcopyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Starnitsa deposit (Davidkovo ore field)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Henderson Mine

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Cassandra Mines (Stratoni, Chalkidiki)

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Grizzly Bear Mine (Bear Creek, Ouray)

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Galena with Rhodochrosite at Madan ore field

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with galena together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Madan ore field

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Madan ore field

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Quartz with Rhodochrosite at Climax Mine

2 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with quartz together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Calcite with Rhodochrosite at Săcărâmb (Nagyág)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with calcite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Fluorite with Rhodochrosite at Akchatau Mine (Aqshatau)

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with fluorite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Same specimen Pyrite with Rhodochrosite at Trepca complex

1 specimen photo(s) from this locality show rhodochrosite with pyrite together. The pairing comes from the photographer's file name and label, so the relationship between the two minerals is not specified.

Identity

Group
Calcite Group
Strunz
5.AB.05 · 5 Carbonates and nitrates
IMA status
Grandfathered
Name origin
From Greek 'rhodon' (rose) and 'chrosis' (coloring), after its typical pink to red color.
Elements
Mn, C, O

Physical properties

Color
Rose-red to pink; also yellow, gray, brown, white or colorless; may be banded
Streak
White
Luster
Vitreous luster
Transparency
Translucent
Mohs hardness
3.5–4
Density
3.69–3.7 g/cm³
Cleavage / fracture
Cleavage perfect on {10-11} (three directions); parting on {10-12}; fracture conchoidal; brittle
Magnetism / fluorescence
Reported as non-fluorescent

Crystallography

Crystal system
Trigonal
Space group
R-3c
Structure
Calcite-type carbonate; hexagonal-setting cell a = 4.777 Å, c = 15.670 Å.
Typical habit
Rhombohedral and scalenohedral crystals; also bladed, columnar, stalactitic, botryoidal, granular or massive
Twinning
On {10-12}, as contact and lamellar twins
Optical data
Uniaxial (-); omega = 1.814-1.816, epsilon = 1.596-1.598; birefringence about 0.218; weak pleochroism

Formation and use

Formation
Hydrothermal vein mineral in low-temperature ore deposits and a product of the oxidation of manganese ore.
Uses
Manganese ore for steel and aluminium alloys; banded material is used as ornamental stone and in jewelry, while faceting is rare because of softness and cleavage.
Stability and care
Soft with perfect cleavage, so specimens and cut stones are easily damaged and need gentle handling.

Related minerals

Related minerals
Siderite (complete solid-solution series)calcite group
Can be confused with
Rhodonite

Sources

  1. SRC-268 · Website
    Rhodochrosite Mineral DataBarthelmy, D. · n.d. · Webmineral
  2. SRC-269 · Website
    RhodochrositeWikipedia contributors · 2026 · Wikipedia
  3. SRC-270 · Database
    RRUFF R100162 RhodochrositeLafuente, B.; Downs, R.T.; Yang, H.; Stone, N. (RRUFF project) · n.d. · RRUFF database

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.