RHODOCHROSITE

CORRESPONDENCES

EARLY FALL
Energy

LIBRA
Northern Hemisphere

ARIES
Southern Hemisphere

A / DO
Music Note

Rose Pink
Color

BASE
Chakra

The name Rhodochrosite comes from the Greek rhodos, meaning “rose,” and khros, meaning “color,” and refers to its vivid pink to rose-red color. It has a vitreous and pearly luster, often banded in layers ranging from white or light pink, to those that are nearly red and opaque.

HISTORY

Rhodochrosite was first described in 1813 in Sacaramb, Romania, in reference to a sample from Cavnic, Maramureş, present-day Romania. The material became popular in the 1970s, after it was discovered in the mine of Capillitas, in Catamarca, Argentina.

During the 1960s Chile was the provider of copper to Argentina, but after a limit conflict between these two countries, and Chile’s threat to stop their provision of copper, the Argentine government opened copper mines in Catamarca. The copper was too expensive to extract, but Chile retracted its threat and continued to provide copper to Argentina, rendering the mines obsolete.

A German tourist traveling in the state of Catamarca, came across the Capillitas copper mine and took some specimens of a pink stone with him. Around 1965, María del Carmen Rodriguez Sobrón received a call from California asking about this material, its extraction and commercialization. Her daughter, Isabel Sobrón, investigated the market and together with her later-to-be-husband, under the Juan L. Tito & Co, they extracted, cut, polished, crafted, marketed and exported this new material worldwide, mostly to Germany, United States and Japan. Today, this beautiful pink stone, known as Rhodochrosite, has become Argentina’s national stone.

Rhodochrosite was later found in Colorado and was officially named its state mineral in 2002.

COMPOSITION

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, it crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions.

HARDNESS

Mohs Scale Hardness: 3.5 - 4

The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Rhodochrosite

Assists the heart & stimulates blood circulation.

Stabilizes blood pressure & pulse rate.

Balances the thyroid & the nervous system.

Stimulates the kidneys & reproductive organs.

Alleviates digestive disorders, constipation & abdominal pain.

Treats stomach ulcers & skin disorders.

Relieves infections, such as ear or sinus & other inflammations.

Relieves somatization caused by stress, depression or anxiety.

Relieves tension migraines.

Restores eyesight.

Rhodochrosite contains manganese, an important physiological component of the body necessary for bone growth, tissue repair, and assimilation of minerals. Rhodochrosite is traditionally used to assist the heart and circulatory systems, stabilize blood pressure and pulse rate, and placed at the base of the skull, to relieve tension migraines. It is thought to correct thyroid imbalances, and remove irritants from the lungs, ameliorating breathing problems and asthma. [101 Hall, 168][Hall, 245][Melody, 563][Eason, 63][Gienger, 73]

Rhodochrosite is highly esteemed for its effectiveness when used in elixirs. Taken internally, it supports the relief of infections, such as ear or sinus infections, stomach ulcers, and other inflammations, as well as digestive disorders, such as constipation and abdominal pain, and aids in strengthening the walls of the intestines. An elixir of Rhodochrosite may be employed to bolster treatments for the conditions listed above. (We highly recommend the indirect method of preparation for all internal elixirs.) [Melody, 562][Raphaell, 118-119][Hall, 245][Gienger, 73]

Rhodochrosite is an exceptional stone for directly attacking somatizations, the physical disorders that stem from emotional or mental suffering. Gem Rhodochrosite, or an elixir made from these crystals, can be an invaluable ally for use alongside treatments for healing cancer, liver purifications, coronary issues and other disease. Rhodochrosite is also ideal for nervous system imbalances, offering energetic healing for the myelin sheath that covers and protects the nerves. Though not a cure, it provides remarkable relief for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and some cases of multiple sclerosis, especially when used in conjunction with Rhodonite. It can also be of benefit in withdrawal from caffeine and other stimulants. [Megemont, 153][Raphaell, 118-119, 120][101 Hall, 168][Ahsian, 329]

Rhodochrosite is highly effective for skin disorders. Shingles, a painful viral infection caused by the chicken pox virus, may emerge when one is depressed or in mourning, and some types of rash, hives and boils are physical manifestations of stress, depression and anxiety. A soothing elixir for external skin disorders may be made by placing Rhodochrosite in distilled water (or other natural mineral/spring water), then energizing the mixture in sunlight for several days. Heat the water and soak a cloth in it for use as a poultice. It not only relieves itchy or painful irritations, but penetrates the infected areas of the tissues for cleansing, as well as removing the dysfunctional negative aspects that are present. [Megemont, 153][Melody, 562-563]