Rhodochrosite: Banded Beauty
It takes thirteen letters of the alphabet to complete the spelling of rhodochrosite. While some people equate the number thirteen with bad luck, rhodochrosite has a natural beauty that should make anyone forget about bad fortunes. In fact, many people believe rhodochrosite is a gemstone that can bring balance to their daily lives.
Rhodochrosite is most commonly found in pink colors (due to manganese content) banded with white. Lighter colored shades of red have also been found, while other rhodochrosite stones have displayed a yellowish to light brown color. Rhodochrosite is more valuable when it has a deeper red color and also when it has a higher degree of translucency.
In the United States, Alma, Colorado’s Sweet Home Mine is well known for its production of red rhodochrosite crystals. In 2002, rhodochrosite was named as Colorado’s official state mineral. Denver’s Museum of Nature and Science has a 6.5 inch rhodochrosite crystal displayed in the museum’s Gem and Mineral Hall. The crystal is known as the Alma King, and it is one of the largest rhodochrosite crystals ever found. The Adolph Coors Foundation donated it to the museum. Other locations where rhodochrosite has been found include Romania, Argentina, Spain, France, Mexico, South Africa, Germany, Russia, Italy, Peru, and Canada.
Rhodochrosite is often mistaken for rhodonite, but a few characteristics clear up the confusion. While rhodochrosite has white bands as a feature, rhodonite contains black inclusions (manganese oxides). Also, rhodochrosite is a softer stone than rhodonite. On the Mohs scale of hardness, rhodochrosite rates around 3.5 to 4, while rhodonite is rated around 5.5 to 6.
Due to the soft nature of the rhodochrosite gemstone, it is harder to find it faceted in jewelry. It is a difficult stone for cutters to work with, and when it is placed in jewelry, it requires a protective faceting and is not recommended as a stone for everyday wear.
Rhodochrosite is derived from the Greek “rhodon” (rose) and “chroma” (color). It has also been referred to as dialogite, capillita, raspberry spar, and Inca Rose. Many people of the Inca civilization believed rhodochrosite came from their previous rulers. In their view, the current stone form of rhodochrosite used to be their leaders’ blood.
In the metaphysical sense, some people have the belief that rhodochrosite gives them heightened feelings of joy and love. Whatever your beliefs are, rhodochrosite, while being soft in nature, requires no enhancements to enable its beauty to show. This gives it some clout when compared to stones that do require enhancements, and I believe you should add rhodochrosite to your collection.
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