What's That Rock?Rhodochrosite
A pink to raspberry-red manganese carbonate. It often forms banded masses and soft, rhombus-shaped crystals.
How to identify Rhodochrosite
- Soft: scratched by a knife
- Banded pink patterns or red crystals
- Fizzes in warm acid
Often confused with
- Rhodoniteharder, no fizz, black veins
- Pink calcite
- Dyed stones
Is Rhodochrosite valuable?
Moderate; gem-quality red crystals are rare and valuable.
Typical retail prices
Tumbled stone$4–12each
Polished piece$10–100each
Collector specimen$20–500each
Top Colorado crystals can cost thousands of dollars.
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color and crystals: transparent, deep raspberry-red rhombs (Sweet Home Mine, Colorado) are among the most expensive mineral specimens
- Banded Argentine pieces ('Inca rose') are far cheaper and sold as polished stones
- Size and condition: undamaged display crystals command the highest prices
- Soft and fragile: chips lower the value quickly
Uses
- Collector gems and carvings
Care
Soft and fragile. Avoid acids, heat and sunlight.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026