Rhodochrosite Extra Quality 30 gr Tumbled Stones Worked Minerals Crystaltherapy

Description

Origin : Argentina

100 gr, about 13-20 pieces. Extra quality.
Each stone: 3-8 gr - cm 1-2.5.

Rhodochrosite is a mineral of the calcite group; chemically, it is a manganese carbonate. Its name means "pink in color."
The type locality is the Cavnic mine in Romania.
In America, the mineral is known as "rose of the Incas," as the rocks in which it occurs were exploited by the Incas themselves in the 13th century to mine silver and copper.
With a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4, rhodochrosite falls between the soft and medium-hard minerals and is easy to score with a knife. However, it is often used as a gemstone due to its typically vibrant color, ranging from pinkish-red to raspberry red.
Rhodochrosite has also been used as a gemstone since around the 1950s. Clear, gem-quality rhodochrosite crystals are rare; However, because the pink and white banded aggregates are similarly marked to various agates and rhodonites, rhodochrosite, which is processed into jewelry or handicrafts, is enjoying growing popularity. The raspberry-red gemstones are particularly prized. To better highlight the banding and pattern of the stone, cabochon cuts are preferred, as are larger pieces.