Mineral - Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Carbonates
Toxicity
none
Formula
Mn[CO₃]
Unit Cell
a=4.78 c=15.67 Z=6
Physical Properties
Hardness
3.5 - 4.5
Streak
white
Density
Normal (2-3,5)
Cleavage
Perfect after {10 1 1}
Fracture
uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
whiteredpink
Birefringence
0.218
Luster
Vitreous
Transparency
translucent,
transparent,
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
trigonal
Point Group
ditrigonal-scalenohedral - 3 m
Space Group
R 3 c (167)
Habit
leafy, coarse, crusty, spherical, Rhombohedron, rosette, Scalenohedron, stalactitic, tabular, grape-shaped
Formation
Hydrothermal, sedimentary, or metasomatic through precipitation of Mn-containing solutions under CO₂-rich, reducing conditions
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Common
Synonyms
Rhodochrosite, Rotmanganerz, Himbeerspat, Manganspat, Diallogite, Strömite, Villaurite
Composition
Elements
Mass
CO₂
38.26
FeO
0.77
MnO
60.87
MgO
0.01
CaO
0.51
Kosovo
Groups and Members
Calcite-Group