Rhodochrosite, a manganese carbonate mineral, displays a rose-red hue in its rare pure form, but commonly exhibits shades ranging from pink to pale brown. Its streak is white in color.
Rhodochrosite follows a trigonal crystal system with a lattice structure, featuring cleavage in the carbonate rhombohedral system. Crystal twinning is a frequent occurrence in its formations. Despite potential confusion with the manganese silicate rhodonite, rhodochrosite is distinctly softer. The mineral is a product of the oxidation of manganese ore and is discovered in various locations, including South Africa, China, and the Americas.
