| Rhodochrosite is a carbonate and hence not overly hard and it can be attacked with acids, thus it must be cared for properly. It is beautiful pink color often with two or more tones. The very purest material has been successfully faceted but faceted stones are rare and mainly collector items.
The lovely pink color comes from the manganese. It often forms in stripes or agate-like patterns. It has been found as stalactites with concentric bands from the center out.
When very pure it is a raspberry red color and transparent. Very fine crystals have been found in Colorado at the Sweet Home Mine. Faceted stones from this locale tend to head to museums. Because the tone is soft, has perfect cleavage planes and is both heat sensitive and acid sensitive it is rarely used in jewelry as a faceted stone.
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