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Rhodochrosite (MnCO3) NS2178A |
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![Image: NS2178A.jpg](../minerals_jpg/NS2178A.jpg) |
Crystal system |
hexagonal. |
Habit |
crystals rhombohedral, rarely prismatic, scalenohedral or tabular; also massive, granular, stalactitic, botryoidal or globular. |
Cleavage |
perfect. |
Fracture |
conchoidal to uneven. |
Hardness |
3.5-4 |
Specific Gravity |
3.4-3.6 |
Color |
pale pink to deep red, orange red, yellow/gray, tan or brown. |
Luster |
transparent to translucent with a vitreous to sometimes pearly luster. |
Streak |
none. |
Distinguishing features |
being a carbonate, it reacts with warm HCl acid, which helps to distinguish it from calcite or dolomite; and the red color is typical. |
Uses |
of interest to scientists and collectors.
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