Rhodochrosite from the Margarita Mine, Peru
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral.
Pure rhodochrosite is rather rare. In its pure form, it is typically pale pink or rose-red, but the color of more prevalent impure
specimens can vary from shades of pink, deep red, orange to pale brown.
Rhodochrosite crystallizes in form of masses, grains, columns, botroyidal structures and rhombohedral crystals. It is often confused with the manganese silicate mineral rhodonite, but is distinctly softer than the other one.
Rhodochrosite was first described in 1813 in reference to a sample found in Cavnic, Maramureş Valey, in the northern part of Romania.
Its name is derived from the Greek word rhodochros meaning rose-colored. It occurs together with other manganese
minerals in low temperature ore deposits in silver mines of
Romania and Argentina. It is also mined in the USA, South Africa, Russia, Peru and Uruguay.
Rhodochrosite
In 2002 the State of Colorado officially named rhodochrosite as its state mineral since quite impressive specimens have been found in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado.
While rodochrosite is found all over the world, large red crystals are found only in a few places.
Rhodochrosite is considered to be a stone of love, balance and creativity. The crystal is believed to open the heart center, alleviate depression and encourage positive and cheerful outlook. It helps integrate physical and spiritual energies, stimulate love and passion, and energize the soul. People with low self esteem profit from it as the crystal is believed to improve one's self-worth and develop unconditional self-love and self-acceptance.
Rhodochrosite alleviates physical and emotional stress, encourages positive attitude, creativity and innovation, and enhances dream states thus allowing a deeper insight into the subconscious mind. The stone can help us accept negative and painful emotions as part of our emotional make-up. It helps us understand that pain and suffering are step stones to personal growth. Negative experiences and challenges are lessons that help us grow.
Rhodochrosite can help heal emotional patterns that prevent us from realizing our full emotional potential. It is a perfect stone for balancing, cleansing and energizing the root and solar plexus chakras. It helps us face irrational fear and deal with anxiety. It is believed that rhodochrosite allows us to express emotions, especially those long denied that are buried deep within our souls. People who wear it develop tendency to be cheerful and optimistic.
On the physical plane rhodochrosite is believed to regulate heart beat, stabilize blood circulation, and balance the blood pressure. The stone is also believed to have a positive influence on kidneys, intestines, thyroid gland, skin, and the reproductive organs. It can help improve eye sight and alleviate mild migraine.
Best results are achieved when it is worn as a bracelet or placed over the heart and solar plexus. A gem elixir made of rhodochrosite helps heal and prevent infections, improve the skin, calm inflammation, and regulate thyroid gland.
The beauty of rhodochrosite makes it a desired collectors' object that will not only bring joy to the beholder, but also enhance energy flow in any room of the house.
By Dominique Allmon
Dominique Allmon©2013
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