Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite | ||
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Specific gravity 3.7 | | |
Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) | |
Refractive index | nω = 1.814–1.816 nε = 1.596–1.598 | |
Birefringence | δ = 0.218 | |
Pleochroism | weak | |
Ultraviolet fluorescence | None | |
References | [2][3][4] |
Rhodochrosite is a
3) are arranged in a triangular planar configuration, and the manganese ions (Mn2+) are surrounded by six oxygen ions in an octahedral arrangement. The MnO6 octahedra and CO3 triangles are linked together to form a three-dimensional structure. Crystal twinning is often present. It can be confused with the manganese silicate rhodonite, but is distinctly softer.[8] Rhodochrosite is formed by the oxidation of manganese ore, and is found in South Africa, China, and the Americas.[6] It is one of the national symbols of Argentina
Rhodochrosite forms a complete solid solution series with iron carbonate (siderite). Calcium (as well as magnesium and zinc, to a limited extent) frequently substitutes for manganese in the structure, leading to lighter shades of red and pink, depending on the degree of substitution. This is the reason for the pink color of rhodochrosite.
Occurrence and discovery
Rhodochrosite occurs as a hydrothermal vein mineral along with other manganese minerals in low temperature ore deposits as in the silver mines of Romania where it was first found. Banded rhodochrosite is mined in Capillitas, Argentina.
It was first described in 1813 in reference to a sample from Cavnic, Maramureş, present-day
Use
Rhodochrosite is mainly used as an ore of manganese, which is a key component of low-cost stainless steel formulations and certain aluminium alloys.[9] Quality banded specimens are often used for decorative stones and jewellery. Due to its softness and perfect cleavage it is rarely found faceted in jewellery.[10]
Manganese carbonate is extremely destructive to the
Culture
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Small Rhodochrosite specimen featured in a mineral kit, from Wuton mine, Guangxi, China. |
Rhodochrosite is Argentina's "national gemstone".[11][12] Colorado officially named rhodochrosite as its state mineral in 2002.[13]
It is sometimes called "Rosa del Inca", "Inca Rose" or Rosinca.[14]
Gallery
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"The Searchlight," a large red rhodochrosite from Sweet Home Mine, Alma, Colorado, U.S.
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Rhodochrosite with fluorite, tetrahedrite and quartz.
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Rhodochrosite from Silverton, Colorado, U.S.
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The Alma King is the largest known rhodochrosite crystal; it was found in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado and donated to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
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Exhibit in La Plata Museum, Argentina.
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The Alma Rose specimen from the Sweet Home Mine. On display at the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S.
See also
References
- S2CID 235729616.
- ^ ISBN 0962209740.
- ^ Rhodochrosite. Mindat.org
- ^ Rhodochrosite. Webmineral
- ISBN 9781897799901.
- ^ ISBN 9781775843344.
- ^ Ridgway, Robert Henderson (1933). Manganese: General Information. U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines. p. 3.
- ^ Rhodonite. Mindat.org
- ISBN 978-0-19-850340-8.
- OCLC 60374175.
- ^ "Piedra nacional: la Rodocrosita" (in Spanish). Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the Colombian Republic. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- Página/12(in Spanish). Retrieved 7 October 2013.
- ^ "Colorado State Archives; Symbols & Emblems". Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- ^ Dietrich, R. V. (16 July 2005). "Rhodochrosite". Central Michigan University. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
- Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., ISBN 0-471-80580-7.
External links
- Media related to Rhodochrosite at Wikimedia Commons