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Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral with chemical composition MnCO3. In its (rare) pure form, it is typically a rose-red color, but impure specimens can be shades of pink to pale brown. It streaks white, and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7.
The most famous locality in the world for superb rhodochrosite crystals is the Sweet Home Mine, located near the community of Alma, Colorado. It was opened in 1873 as a silver mine and was worked on and off for silver until the 1960s.