The facts
What rhodochrosite actually is
The species behind rhodochrosite is manganese carbonate, MnCO₃; it forms in the trigonal system.
Manganese is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.597–1.817 and a specific gravity of about 3.4–3.7, with perfect, three directions cleavage.
Where rhodochrosite comes from
Commercial material comes from Capillitas, Argentina, Sweet Home mine, Colorado, USA, N’Chwaning, South Africa and Peru.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How rhodochrosite is treated
Often stabilised; it is soft and cleaves easily.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What rhodochrosite is confused with
Watch for Rhodonite, Dyed calcite and Thulite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.597–1.817 and specific gravity 3.4–3.7 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What rhodochrosite is used for
The trades that buy rhodochrosite are mineral collecting, decorative objects, jewellery and architecture and interiors. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the piece or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 3.5–4; cleavage perfect, three directions. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What rhodochrosite costs
Expect roughly $2–300/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is rhodochrosite treated, and how?
Often stabilised; it is soft and cleaves easily.
Where does rhodochrosite come from?
Capillitas, Argentina, Sweet Home mine, Colorado, USA, N’Chwaning, South Africa and Peru. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is rhodochrosite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 3.5–4 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does rhodochrosite cost?
Indicatively $2–300/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is rhodochrosite confused with?
Most often Rhodonite, Dyed calcite and Thulite. A refractive index of 1.597–1.817 and a specific gravity near 3.4–3.7 separate it quickly.
What is rhodochrosite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, decorative objects and architecture and interiors. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for rhodochrosite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about rhodochrosite