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Locations: Australia, Brazil, Namibia, South Africa  Colors Found: Brown, red, pink & white  Family:  Calcite  Hardness:  3.50 - 4.50  Refractive Index:  1.60 - 1.80  Relative Density:  3.40 - 3.70

Rhodochrosite (whose name means rose-colored from the Greek words “rhodon”, rose and “chroma”, color) is a very attractive gem with an absolutely beautiful color.

Rhodochrosite’s jewelry qualities make it extremely popular. The color of a single gem can astound the observer with its vivid pink-rose hues that seems to radiate from the crystal as if lit from within.



Rhodochrosite is believed by crystal healers to be a gemstone of love, balance for emotions, male and female energies, assisting in expanding consciousness and for healing mother earth.

Rhodochrosite was a popular gem during the 1930’s and was often carved into decorative figurines.



Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate with colors ranging from very pale pink, pale to deep orange red, mahogany red, burnt orange, pale to dark chocolate and black. The vivid pink-rose and red colors are due to a higher manganese content. Some fine transparent crystals of Rhodochrosite are faceted into gems but this is difficult because of its perfect cleavage. As a result, Rhodochrosite is often cut and polished as cabochons, displaying bands of pink and red as well as pink and white.

Rhodochrosite occurs in hydrothermal mineral veins containing ores of silver, lead and copper. Individual crystals are found in rhombohedrons and sometimes scalehedrons but large crystals are extremely rare.

Rhodochrosite is found in a number of locations worldwide. For several years now the Sweet Home Mine in Alma and Sunnyside Mine in Silverton, Colorado USA have been mined exclusively for Rhodochrosite specimens. The Hotazel Mine in South Africa is famous for producing deep red clusters of Rhodochrosite crystals. However, the most famous mines are in the provinces of Catamarca and LaRioja, Argentina. The mines there produce an attractive pink and red banded Rhodochrosite that is colloquially called “Inca Rose”.