Rhodochrosite
| Category |
| Rhodochrosite |
| Crystal Form |
| Trigonal |
| Moh's Scale Hardness |
| 4.0 |
| Specific Gravity |
| 3.45–3.70 |
| Refractive Index |
| 1.60–1.82 |
| Sources |
| Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Namibia, South Africa and United States (Colorado). |
Rhodochrosite is also called Manganesespar or Raspberryspa. The stone is usually watermelon pink to grapefruit pink in colour. Opaque rhodochrosite usually has ain light-dark rose, red or white stripes with zigzag banding. The stone has a vitreous to pearl luster. Rhodochrosite has been on the market only since 1940.
Inclusions
Fingerprint-like and black manganese inclusions.
Treatments
Rhodochrosite could be coated with polymer resin to make the stone more durable and less brittle.
Caring
Rhodochrosite is highly sensitive to acid, hence keep away from chemical.
Do not clean in ultrasonic and steam cleaner.
The stone is soft on Moh's scale, keep the rhodochrosite from other gemstone (especially those that are harder that rhodochrosite).