Tags: Chemical Substance, Mineral.
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. In its (rare) pure form it is typically a rose-red color but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. It streaks white and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7. It crystallizes in the trigonal system and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions. Crystal twinning often is present.
