Rhodochrosite

One of our favorite minerals is rhodochrosite; from the dusty pink of a Peruvian specimen to the delicate Sweet Home mine to the deep rich saturated red of a N’Chwaning, they capture our imagination. 

Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral, with a 3.5 to 4.5 Mohs hardness, formed by the oxidation of manganese ore. It forms a solid solution with iron carbonate - siderite. The color is due to the manganese. They are sometimes confused with rhodonite, a manganese silicate. 

Some of the most notable, and desirable, are specimens from the famous N’Chwaning Mines in the Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape, South Africa. The fields are the largest in the world, covering about 400 sq km and are estimated to contain 13 billion tons of manganese. The first significant discovery of these stunning specimens was around 1976 when the shaft was sunk for the N’Chwaning Mine 1. The mine played out in roughly 2 years (1978). These specimens are known for their saturated rich red color and scalenohedral (aka dog tooth spar) crystal shape.

The magnificent specimen in the photos below is available for purchase. Please contact us for additional information.