Rhodochrosite

What is rhodochrosite?
Rhodochrosite (I am just going to call it R, I cannot spell that over and over again) is a very pretty gem. It has a very beautiful color of rose pink, caused by the element manganese and is created when the element is dissolved in ground water. It then combines with a carbonate material and then drips off the ceiling of caves and crevices deep underground.

R is found most commonly in the form of stalagmites and stalactites. Rhodochrosite, which means rose, is not fully pink, but has white bands within it usually, almost like a tree trunk. The stone is usually carved into figurines and small trinket boxes while the stalactite forms are typically sliced and used for jewelry.

If the gems have good quality after being sliced, or if crystals are found, the gems will be used in high end jewelry. However, gems that are not as good are used in regular everyday jewelry such as silver and gold.

Where is it found?
R is most commonly found sprouting in caves in Argentina, but other known sources are:

• Peru
• Colorado
• Montana
• U.S.A
• Quebec

In fact, Colorado loved R so much that they made it the official state mineral in 2002, after the Platte Canyon High School in Bailey Colorado made the proposal based on the fact that the Sweet Home Miner near Alma produces the highly prized and rare red crystals that are found in only a few place on Earth. R is a very soft gem, only a 3.5/4 on the Mohs scale.

The mystic rhodochrosite

R is thought by many to be a stone of love and balance. Some believe that it increases the ability to handle life problems. Many old healers thought it relieved stress and often used it in their practices. Meanwhile, the Incas, who called R Inca Rose, believed that it was the blood of their former kings turned to stone.