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Rhodochrosite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Norman King
About Rhodochrosite
Formula:
MnCO3
Colour:
Pink, rose, red, yellowish-grey, brown, white, gray; colourless to pale rose in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous, Pearly
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.7
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1813 by Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann from the Greek ρόδο, "rose", and χρώς, "coloring", referring to its color.
Type Locality:
Calcite Group.
Calcite-Rhodochrosite Series and Rhodochrosite-Siderite Series.
Commonly occurs as a primary gangue mineral in moderate- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins, also in high-temperature metasomatic deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits or as a late stage hydrothermal mineral in pegmatites, especially lithiophilite-bearing ones.
As a biomineral, it may be formed by some fungi, e.g., Lichenothelia, during oxidation (e.g., Burford et al., 2003).
Calcite-Rhodochrosite Series and Rhodochrosite-Siderite Series.
Commonly occurs as a primary gangue mineral in moderate- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins, also in high-temperature metasomatic deposits and sedimentary manganese deposits or as a late stage hydrothermal mineral in pegmatites, especially lithiophilite-bearing ones.
As a biomineral, it may be formed by some fungi, e.g., Lichenothelia, during oxidation (e.g., Burford et al., 2003).
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Rhodochrosite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3406
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3406:3
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
898539b3-6a81-4c5a-a335-a686f00bf45a
IMA Classification of Rhodochrosite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn(CO3)
Classification of Rhodochrosite
5.AB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.1.1.4
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.12.1
11 : Carbonates
12 : Carbonates of Mn
11 : Carbonates
12 : Carbonates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Rds | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Rde | Kretz (1983) | Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279. |
Rds | Siivolam & Schmid (2007) | Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download |
Rds | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Rds | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Rhodochrosite
Vitreous, Pearly
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Pink, rose, red, yellowish-grey, brown, white, gray; colourless to pale rose in transmitted light
Comment:
Reds occur when the mineral has minimal iron content.
Streak:
White
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {1011}.
On {1011}.
Parting:
On {0112} at times.
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Translation gliding:
Translation gliding with T{0001}, t[1010].
Density:
3.7 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.7 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Rhodochrosite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.814 - 1.816 nε = 1.596 - 1.598
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.218
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
The deep red coloured material may be faintly dichroic with absorption O greater than E.
Chemistry of Rhodochrosite
Mindat Formula:
MnCO3
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Fe,Ca,Mg,Zn,Co,Cd
Chemical Analysis
Oxide wt%:
1 | |
---|---|
MnCO3 | 92.41 % |
FeCO3 | 0.64 % |
CaCO3 | 5.86 % |
MgCO3 | 1.12 % |
Total: | 100.03 % |
Crystallography of Rhodochrosite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.777 Å, c = 15.67 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.28
Unit Cell V:
309.68 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals rhombohedral {1011} or less commonly {0112}, then frequently rounded and composite; scalenohedral rare; thick tabular {0001}; prismatic [0001]. {1120} and {2131} often striated [1101]. Massive, coarsely granular; compact; columnar; crusts; stalactitic (with zoned growth rings); botryoidal.
For habits see:Rhodochrosite Habits.
For habits see:Rhodochrosite Habits.
Twinning:
On {0112}, lamellar, uncommon.
Crystallographic forms of Rhodochrosite
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000100 | Rhodochrosite | Graf D L (1961) Crystallographic tables for the rhombohedral carbonates American Mineralogist 46 1283-1316 | 1961 | 0 | 293 | ||
0009891 | Rhodochrosite | Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1995) Electron density and optical anisotropy in rhombohedral carbonates. III. Synchrotron X-ray studies of CaCO3, MgCO3 and MnCO3 Acta Crystallographica B51 929-939 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
0009892 | Rhodochrosite | Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1995) Electron density and optical anisotropy in rhombohedral carbonates. III. Synchrotron X-ray studies of CaCO3, MgCO3 and MnCO3 Acta Crystallographica B51 929-939 | 1995 | 0 | 293 | ||
0020834 | Rhodochrosite | Effenberger H, Mereiter K, Zemann J (1981) Crystal structure refinements of magnesite, calcite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithsonite, and dolomite, with discussion of some aspects of the stereochemistry of calcite type carbonates Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie 156 233-243 | 1981 | Alicante, Spain | 0 | 293 | |
0018095 | Rhodochrosite | Wyckoff R (1920) The crystal structures of some carbonates of the calcite group _cod_database_code 1011228 American Journal of Science 50 317-360 | 1920 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.66 Å | (35) |
2.84 Å | (100) |
2.39 Å | (20) |
2.172 Å | (25) |
2.000 Å | (25) |
1.770 Å | (30) |
1.763 Å | (35) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 2: Planetesimal differentiation and alteration | 4.566-4.550 |
6 : Secondary asteroid phases | 4.566-4.560 |
Near-surface Processes | |
21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) | |
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism | |
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits | |
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks | >3.0 |
34 : Complex granite pegmatites | |
36 : Carbonatites, kimberlites, and related igneous rocks | |
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates] | |
47e : [Vanadates, chromates, manganates] | |
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals] | |
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44) | <0.54 |
Geological Setting:
Low to moderate temperature hydrothermal veins, metamorphic deposits, carbonatites, sedimentary deposits.
Type Occurrence of Rhodochrosite
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No designated type material.
Synonyms of Rhodochrosite
Other Language Names for Rhodochrosite
Dutch:Rhodochrosiet
Finnish:Rodokrosiitti
Rodokrosiitin
Rodokrosiitin
Galician:Rodocrosita
German:Rhodochrosit
Blättriges Rotmanganerz
Diallogit
Dialogit
Dichter Rothstein
Himbeerspat
Himbeerspath
Kohlensaures Magnesium oxydul
Luftsaures Braunsteinerz
Manganspat
Manganspath
Rhodochrolit
Rosenspath
Rother Braunsteinerz
Strömit
Blättriges Rotmanganerz
Diallogit
Dialogit
Dichter Rothstein
Himbeerspat
Himbeerspath
Kohlensaures Magnesium oxydul
Luftsaures Braunsteinerz
Manganspat
Manganspath
Rhodochrolit
Rosenspath
Rother Braunsteinerz
Strömit
Hebrew:רודוכרוזיט
Hungarian:Rodokrozit
Italian:Rodocrosite
Japanese:菱マンガン鉱
Polish:Rodochrozyt
Portuguese:Rodocrosita
Romanian:Rodocrozit
Russian:Родохрозит
Slovak:Rodochrozit
Swedish:Rothspath
Varieties of Rhodochrosite
Calcium-bearing Rhodochrosite | |
Capillitite | Yellowish brown to gray banded ferro-zinciferous variety of rhodochrosite. |
Cobalt-bearing Rhodochrosite | Co-bearing variety, first reported from Virneberg Mine (St Josephsberg Mine), Rheinbreitbach, Westerwald, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. |
Ponite | A ferroan (iron-bearing) variety of Rhodochrosite wherein Fe" substitutes for Mn in a complete series extending to siderite (see Rhodochrosite-Siderite series). |
Sphaerodialogite | Rhodochrosite as minute globules in manganese ore. |
Zincorhodochrosite | A zinc-bearing variety of rhodochrosite. |
Relationship of Rhodochrosite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Gaspéite | NiCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
3,520 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
1,015 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
998 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
628 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Sphalerite | ZnS |
559 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
389 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Tetrahedrite Subgroup | Cu6(Cu4C2+2)Sb4S12S |
305 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Galena | PbS |
288 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
235 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Aegirine | NaFe3+Si2O6 |
164 photos of Rhodochrosite associated with Manganite | Mn3+O(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.AB. | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Spherocobaltite | CoCO3 |
5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Rhodochrosite
None.
Other Information
Thermal Behaviour:
Begins to dissociate at about 300˚ with the formation of CO2 and MnO.
Notes:
Soluble with effervescence in warm acids. Slightly soluble in water with the solubility rate increasing with the presence of CO2.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Rhodochrosite in petrology
An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.
Internet Links for Rhodochrosite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3406.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Rhodochrosite
Reference List:
Bergman, Torbern (1783) Sciagraphia Regni Mineralis Secundum Principia Proxima Digesti [Sketch of the Mineral Kingdom According to the Proximate Principles of Digestion]. Apud Johannem Murray, Londini. 165pp.
Kreutz, Stefan (1909) Contributions to the study of parallel growths of different substances. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 15 (70) 232-237 doi:10.1180/minmag.1909.015.70.05
Mayo, Evans B., O'Leary, William J. (1934) Oligonite, a manganosiderite from Leadville, Colorado. American Mineralogist, 19 (7) 304-308
Wayland, Russell G. (1942) Composition, specific gravity and refractive indices of rhodochrosite; rhodochrosite from Butte, Montana. American Mineralogist, 27 (9) 614-628
Effenberger, H., Mereiter, Κ., Zemann, J. (1981) Crystal structure refinements of magnesite, calcite, rhodochrosite, siderite, smithonite [sic], and dolomite, with discussion of some aspects of the stereochemistry of calcite type carbonates. Zeitschrift für Kristallographie - Crystalline Materials, 156 (1-4) 233 doi:10.1524/zkri.1981.156.14.233
Alves, Julliana F., Edwards, Howell G. M., Korsakov, Andrey, Oliveira, Luiz Fernando C. (2023) Revisiting the Raman Spectra of Carbonate Minerals. Minerals, 13 (11) 1358 doi:10.3390/min13111358
Localities for Rhodochrosite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
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Sweet Home Mine, Mount Bross, Alma Mining District, Park County, Colorado, USA