Rhodochrosite (manganese carbonate) ranges from pale pink to deep raspberry, often in banded or botryoidal masses. Confirm with low hardness, perfect rhombohedral cleavage, and effervescence in warm dilute acid; the strong color separates it from calcite and dolomite.
Rhodochrosite Identification Sheet
Colorado's rose-pink state mineral: a manganese carbonate identified by color, low hardness, rhombohedral cleavage, and a warm-acid reaction.
Streak
White
CleavagePerfect rhombohedral (three directions)
Crystal habit
Rhombohedral, Botryoidal, Stalactitic, Banded, Massive
Rhombohedral crystals; commonly botryoidal, stalactitic, banded, or massive
Common lookalikes
Rhodonite (harder, no acid reaction), pink calcite and dolomite (paler, dolomite reacts only when powdered).