Every Monday Mine - Rhodochrosite

The chemical composition of rhodochrosite is manganese carbonate (MnCO3), and the crystalline form is usually aggregate, showing massive, granular, stalactite, nodular, husk-like or grape-like.
Today's protagonist has pink and white stripes like agate, which is called a lace structure.

Rhodochrosite also has the nickname of "rhodolite" because of this structure.

Rhodochrosite has two origins, one is condensed in magma containing metals such as copper, lead, zinc, etc., and the other is deposited in manganese deposits generally distributed on the seabed, and changes with the content of iron and calcium. and change.

Rhodochrosite is mainly produced in Argentina, so it is also called "Argentine Stone", and there are also records of discovery of rhodochrosite in the gold-copper deposits of Jinguashi, Jiufen and Wudan Mountain in Taiwan.

Rhodochrosite is mainly used as a raw material for the extraction of metal manganese, and is often used as a gemstone.

Rhodochrosite has always been a relatively unfamiliar gemstone to me. But last week, when I passed by the mineral booth that I often visit, I glanced at him one more time in the crowd (?!), which opened my indissoluble bond with this kind of manganese-containing minerals.

Maybe in the future, I will be as obsessed with manganese-containing minerals as crazy copper-containing minerals, but at least for now, copper-containing minerals are still the top 1 favorite in my collection list.

Do you have any mineral knowledge you want to know? Please leave a message below to tell me!!

(But not too expensive, you can't afford it)