Carbonate
Rhodochrosite
Sweet pink to vivid red; stalactitic form shows white concentric banding
Pink
Red-Pink
Optical characteristics
- Ref. index
- 1.578 – 1.84
- Birefringence
- 0.22
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Pleochroism
- None None.
- Fluorescence
- Typically inert; some specimens weakly fluorescent.
Source localities
South Africa
South Africa: Cullinan / Venetia
Significant
Historic and important diamond source; Hotazel in South Africa produces large rhodochrosite deposits.
Russia
Russia: Ural Mountains / Siberia
Significant
Classic source for alexandrite, demantoid, diamond and nephrite.
Chile
Chile: Coquimbo / Ovalle
Significant
★ Top Source
Known for Chilean lapis lazuli; South America (Argentina/Chile region) is the primary stalactitic rhodochrosite source.
United States
USA: major gem fields
Major
★ Top Source
Diverse sources for turquoise, tourmaline, opal, sapphire, topaz, red beryl and rare minerals; Sweet Home Mine, Colorado produces world's finest facetable rhodochrosite.
Inclusions & features
Zoning Color Zoning
Under 10x loupe in immersion: bands or patches of deeper or lighter color arranged…
Crystals Crystal Inclusions
Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may…
Fractures Feathers and Fractures
Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or…
Instruments used
10x Loupe
Your most-used instrument, start every examination here
Refractometer
Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification
Hydrostatic Scale
Measures specific gravity, works even on opaque stones
High CRI Penlight
Tiny concentrated white spot for field checks, inclusions, fire, and fractures