Rhodochrosite
About Rhodochrosite
Its name means rose-colored in Greek. The finest specimens come from the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado - crystals from this mine are considered among the most beautiful mineral specimens in the world. Argentina produces banded material used for carvings. It is relatively soft and rarely faceted. The pink color comes from manganese. It forms in silver and lead ore deposits. The Incas believed it was the blood of their former kings turned to stone. It is the state mineral of Colorado. Large crystal clusters can be worth millions. The Alma King specimen from Colorado is considered one of the finest mineral specimens ever found.
Related Gemstones
Malachite
Its distinctive banded patterns in varying shades of green are instantly recognizable. Rus...
Azurite
One of the most vividly blue minerals in nature - it was ground into pigment for centuries...
Smithsonite
Named after James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution. It occurs in beautiful...