Collection: Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite is a mineral species with very specific characteristics. Indeed, it presents a fairly heterogeneous mixture. The stone is composed mainly of manganese carbonate. It has numerous inclusions of iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, cobalt and cadmium.

Thus, the color of rhodochrosite is available from pink to brown to pink red, and even yellow. It has white features and a glassy sheen. It has a hardness of 3.5 to 4.5 on the Mohs scale, which reveals a certain fragility. For comparison, diamond has the highest hardness, 10 on the same scale, and quartz is 7. This stone should therefore be handled with great care.

The discovery of rhodochrosite took place in Argentina in the 13th century in copper and silver ores. These ores were located in the northwest, on the territory of the Inca Empire. The etymology of its name comes from the ancient Greek rhodon, meaning rose and khroma meaning which has the meaning of color.

At the same time, rhodochrosite was also called Inca rose. Indeed, the Incas believed that this stone was the symbol of the fossilized blood of their ancient rulers. As soon as the Inca Empire fell, rhodochrosite sank into oblivion and the mines were abandoned.

Then at the end of the 18th century, it was again identified by Cronstedt Bergman, mineralogist and Kirvan under the name of manganese oxidized by aerial acid. In 1806, René Just Haüy, a French mineralogist, gave it the name carbonated oxidized manganese. In 1813, it received its final name from Johann Friedrich Ludwig Hausmann, a German mineralogist and geologist.

In the 1930s, rhodochrosite was finally recognized worldwide thanks to the German national Franz Mansfeld. During a visit to the Plata Museum in Buenos Aires, he discovered this fabulous stone and took a sample, which he decided to have polished. Then, he reported this discovery to the British Museum in London which confirmed that it was a rare mineral. He then returned to Argentina where he discovered an Inca tomb covered with magnificent rhodochrosite jewelry. He then nicknamed this stone: the Rosa del Inca.

In a few months, he managed to bring back more than a ton of this mineral, which he then processed in a cutting workshop. In 1932, Franz Mansfeld exhibited his creations and the whole world recognized the incredible beauty of rhodochrosite. Today, rhodochrosite is the official stone of Argentina and that of Colorado in the United States.

Currently, rhodochrosite is used in decoration, jewelry and lithotherapy.

The main deposits are in Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Canada, etc.

In Lithotherapy, rhodochrosite is renowned for being a stone of love, compassion and commiseration. It helps heal deep wounds, such as childhood trauma. It brings up painful feelings and generates the identification of the deepest pain. Once this evil is identified, it helps to dissipate and overcome it. Thus, she can cure the illness that is gnawing at the person and deliver them. It has the power to bring out buried painful sensations in order to treat them gently. Thanks to its abilities, it is also nicknamed the stone of emotional liberation.

This fabulous mineral is considered the stone of feelings and altruistic impulses. It provokes openness towards others, gives assurance and self-confidence. By opening up to others, she develops feelings of understanding and empathy. It is also a great help in combating stress and promoting the development of self-esteem.

Rhodochrosite is a stone conducive to meditation and it strengthens energetic and spiritual awareness. The result is a lot of calm, total serenity, a beautiful harmony between body and mind. This stone is also said to have a strong ability to dissolve all forms of negative energies such as anxiety. This stone allows its wearer to overcome certain obstacles in order to achieve their goals.