Hardness:  3.5 – 4

Astrological Signs:  Leo and Scorpio

Rhodocrosite is a mineral composed primarily of manganese and carbonate (carbon and oxygen). The more pure rhodocrosite (fewer minerals has a  gorgeous reddish pink translucence. Tiny amounts of calcium, iron and / or magnesium can contribute to its more common pinkish to light brown coloring. Even though rhodocrosite is usually pink to reddish with swirling patterns of white and cream colors, it can also be  yellowish, orange, tan and brown.

Rhodochrosite is also known as Inca Rose, a name given to it by the Peruvian Incas who lived around the Andes mountains. The name Rhodochrosite comes from the Greek words “rhodon” which means rose or rose colored and “chroma” (color).  Actually, the prefix “rhodon”  has its roots in many languages.

Since rhodochrosite and calcite both contain large amounts of calcium, pink rhodochrosite is basically pink calcite with manganese inclusions. Calcite turns pink when manganese impurities take over and replace the calcium.

Like other pink stones, rhodochrosite is associated with the energy of love,  more specifically “self love” and self healing.  Rhodochrosite helps us release our old emotional wounds by bringing to surface our suppressed memories of past abuses and lets us gently and lovingly release them. This gentle pink stone can also attract a new love who would be for our highest and best interest. Rhodocrosite also represents an all encompassing universal love.  This love isn’t limited to just one person.  It is a stone associated with loving and healing our planet.

Wearing or placing rhodocrosite on or near the heart can calm the emotions and heal and remove blockages in the energy field around the heart.

Rhodochrosite has some pretty impressive mental and physical healing properties. This gentle pink stone can ease depression, anxiety, loneliness and emotional stress and encourage a positive and joyful outlook. It can improve our self-worth, provide creativity and innovation and enhance our dream state and intuition.  Rhodocrosite encourages an openness and enables us to face the truth about ourselves.

Since rhodocrosite is red (in it’s natural state), it also has the healing properties of red stones.  Rhodocrosite benefits our circulatory system, controls our blood pressure, stabilizes our heart rate and can help with arterial dis-ease.

Rhodochrosite also benefits our kidneys and reproductive organs and provides relief for migraines, skin disorders, thyroid imbalances, intestinal issues and poor vision.

Rhodochrosite is also a superb conductor of energy.

Interesting Tidbit:  Students at Platte Canyon High School in Bailey, Colorado proposed that Colorado make rhodochrosite their state mineral. In 2002, Colorado made it their official state mineral. This was very possibly due to the fact that some of the most gorgeous specimens come from the Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Colorado.