Rhodochrosite derives its name from the combination of two Greek words; rhodon meaning rose, and chroma, meaning color. The mineral is typically found in various shades of pink, a deep rose and even a cherry red, but impure specimens can be found as yellowish grey and brown.
Location
Hydrothermal veins that contain silver, copper and lead also hold rhodochrosite. It can also be located in metasomatically (alteration through fluids) and methamorphic (altered by extreme heat and pressure) rock with sedimentary origin. Rhodochrosite can be found at rock and mineral stores in rough and polished condition.
Composition
The composition of rhodochrosite is manganese (47.79%), oxygen (41.76%) and carbon (10.45%). It forms when manganese ores oxidize in a carbonate environment. Impure rhodochrosite like yellow and brown may have other compositions.
Crystal System
Rhodochrosite's crystal system is called Trigonal. It falls into the class of hexagonal scalenohedral. This is the same and class as calcite, arsenic and gaspeite. The stone is soft and results in perfect cleavage so it is rarely found faceted when made into jewelry.
Uses
The mineral rhodochrosite is a source of maganese for the steel industry, which includes it in ferromanganese alloys used in steel production, particularly stainless steel. The stainless steel utensils we use to eat with find part of their origin in rhodochrosite.
Mining
In the U.S., Colorado and Montana have mines containing rhodochrosite. The mineral is also found in Romania and Argentina. The largest rhodochrosite specimen, a 6.5 inch crystal, was found at the Mine in Colorado in 1992. Take note when viewing rhodochrosite specimens in museum settings, many of them came from the Sweet Home Mine.
Tags: crystal system, Home Mine, stainless steel, Sweet Home, Sweet Home Mine