Rhodochrosite: meaning, properties and lore

The mineral

Its carbonate makeup is the basis of its identity as a mineral. Some specimens also contain small amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc and cobalt.¹²³

Rhodochrosite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4, which makes it a soft mineral. It shows perfect rhombohedral cleavage in the 1 and 3 directions, so the stone is brittle and breaks along flat planes. Its fracture is conchoidal to even, and the perfect cleavage makes it challenging to cut.³⁴⁵

Rhodochrosite crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system. It belongs to the calcite group of carbonates, whose members are usually placed in the trigonal system. Its specific gravity runs from 3.3 to 3.6, and its streak is white with a vitreous to pearly luster.³²⁶

Magnesium, iron and calcium often substitute partly for manganese, so pure rhodochrosite is relatively rare. The mineral forms a partial solid-solution series with calcite and with siderite, where calcium and iron respectively replace manganese. Siderite, magnesite and calcite are its relatives in the carbonate family.¹²

Rhodochrosite is commonly found in ore veins formed at moderate temperatures, in high-temperature metamorphic deposits and in sedimentary deposits. Notable occurrences are at Cavnic in Romania and at Butte and Leadville in the United States. It is also used as an ore of manganese and is found in South Africa, Peru, Australia, Spain, Russia, Mexico, Japan and China.¹³²

Rhodochrosite has a pink to deep red bodycolour and is usually translucent to opaque, mostly showing a white banded pattern. Natural material is inert under long-wave and short-wave ultraviolet light. Its surface is smooth with few pits, and its banding is lace-like and serrated.²

History and lore

Rhodochrosite was first described in the mineralogical literature in 1813, from specimens from what is now Romania. The name of the mineral comes from the Greek for rose-coloured, a reference to its pink tones.⁴⁷

The Inca silver mines in Argentina, dated to the 13th century, contain rhodochrosite stalagmites and stalactites that formed from precipitating water over the centuries. The Capillitas mine was once mined by the Incas.³⁸

The Incas are said to have believed rhodochrosite was the solidified blood of their fallen rulers. This belief is reported as the Inca view of the stone's origin.⁴

George F. Kunz wrote in 1887 of gem-quality rhodochrosite in Colorado, noting it was the first source with such large and transparent crystals. His account marks Colorado as the early home of transparent crystal material.⁴

Sweet Home was established as a silver mine in 1872, and miners initially discarded most rhodochrosite because it interfered with silver amalgamation. A 32.61 ct cleavage fragment of a step-cut stone was produced by a shaft collapse there in 1888. In 1925 miner Edward Abbott gave the fragment to Denver businessman Edwin Spray, and in 1968 it passed from Spray's widow Eleanor to geologist Charles Trantham in California.⁴

In 1981 Glenn Vargas, a gem and mineral dealer and university instructor, cut the 7.94 ct stone. In 1992 the group uncovered the Alma King, a 14.2 by 16.5 cm deep cherry red rhombohedron said to be the world's largest known fine rhodochrosite crystal.⁴³

Birthstone and chakra links

Practitioners associate rhodochrosite with the Heart modern modern chakra, a link that is modern and belongs to present-day crystal practice rather than to any older tradition.

Crystal practitioners associate rhodochrosite with the numerical vibration 4, a modern numerological link set out in present-day crystal practice.

What crystal practitioners say

Emotional balance is the theme that crystal practitioners most often connect with rhodochrosite. Some practitioners hold that the stone can balance emotional states. Practitioners associate it with improving self-worth and soothing emotional stress.

Protection is the main use that crystal healers give rhodochrosite. Crystal healers regard it as a stone of protection that absorbs negative emotional charges.

Creativity and dreams form a second group of meanings that practitioners draw from rhodochrosite. Practitioners link the stone with enhancing creativity and innovation. They also associate it with promoting positive dream states.

Cleansing rhodochrosite is described by practitioners as a gentle task. Practitioners say that moonlight, sound or visualisation can be used on the stone if preferred.

What testing has found

Testing by gemologists has examined whether rhodochrosite can be told apart from imitations.⁵

Trapiche-like rhodochrosite from Capillitas was first observed by Russell E. Behnke in August 2014. Behnke's observation concerns the stone's structure, not any effect on people.⁸