Beading Q And A: Rhodochrosite (5/18/2011)

BeadGal answers:

Rhodonite lacks rhodochrosite’s banding and is usually pink with black veins.

BeadGal answers:

It depends on the grade – if it is opaque (you look at it – not into or thru it), then it is cabochon-ed (flat bottom – smoothed and rounded over on top). If it a high grade (one that you can see thru) then it is faceted (many small flat spots on the gem) – a round diamond has 58 facets. A nice faceted high grade can go for $ 200. – $500. Per caret. One 16 oz. Pound has 454 grams, 1 gram has 5 carets, – 1 pound has 2,270 carets. 1 pound of high grade of faceted rhodochrosite can be worth – $454,000. Up to $ 1,135,000. While a very low grade of rough can go for as low $100. (Rough is a piece that is mined, but nothing done to it – same as it was in the earth).

BeadGal answers:

The first answer is correct rhodochrosite is a beautiful mineral. Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, the cleavage is typical rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions. Here are some pictures:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/minerals/imgmin/rhodochrosite.jpg
http://www.capecodrocks.com/rhodochrosite.gif
http://www.capitalmineralclub.org/Images/rhodochrosite1.jpg
http://www.amonline.net.au/chapman/images/full/50701.jpg

BeadGal answers:

Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral that precipitates in hydrothermal veins. The degree of redness or pinkness will depend on the amount of magnesium or other trace amounts of other heavier elements. You should be able to figure out what type of mineral this is based upon it’s inclusion in the carbonate group. Good luck!