Rhodonite is a mineral of pink to red color. Rhodochrosite is also a mineral of similar colors. You can get it in pink to gray color. The color of these minerals is due to manganese in the minerals.
Rhodonite consists of manganese silicate. Manganese carbonate is the principal constituent of the rhodochrosite.
People often confuse them due to their similar color and texture. We will compare rhodonite vs rhodochrosite to help you identify these stones better.
Rhodonite vs. Rhodochrosite Overview
You can look for the differences in the physical and chemical parameters for the accurate identification of rhodonite vs. rhodochrosite.
Every mineral has some distinct features to help you with finding identity.
Hardness score difference and calcite veins are some features that differentiate the rhodonite and rhodochrosite.
What Is Rhodochrosite?
Rhodochrosite is a mineral consisting of manganese carbonate.
Each molecule of the manganese carbonate has one manganese, three oxygen, and one carbon atom.
It has a lower hardness score than rhodonite. It scores 3.5 to 4 on the Moh hardness scale.
It is not as durable as rhodonite. If the mineral has pure manganese carbonate, it has a rose-red color.
Calcium and some metal atoms can replace the manganese to change the color.
You may get pale pink color when other atoms replace the manganese.
It is a famous stone because of the national symbol of Argentina.
What Is Rhodonite?
Rhodonite is a pink mineral that consists of manganese silicate.
Experts found this crystal for the first time in the 1800s. It was at the location of the Ural mountains.
You can identify it due to its translucent look as you can get this mineral in pink and crimson colors.
A high luster level is also an indication of rhodonite.
It can also have calcium and iron in place of manganese.
It is an expensive mineral because it is rare in nature.
You may see a cleavage at the center with a prism-like effect.
People give it different names when other metal atoms replace manganese in the crystal.
It is known as fowlerite when zinc replaces the manganese in the mineral.
It is a durable mineral because of a hardness score of 5.5 to 6.5.
Rhodonite vs. Rhodochrosite: What Are the Similarities?
There are many physical and chemical similarities between rhodonite vs. rhodochrosite.
Being a mineral-based material is the first similarity.
These minerals have manganese as the principal constituent.
There are some differences in the transparency of these minerals.
Some stones have similar translucencies.
Many crystal collectors try to find transparent samples for these crystals.
High demand among the rock collectors is another similarity between these crystals.
Rhodonite vs. Rhodochrosite: What Are the Differences?
There are many differences between rhodonite vs. rhodochrosite.
You can look for the veins inside the crystal to identify the rhodonite.
There are some veins in the crystal that consist of manganese oxide.
There are swirls in the rhodochrosite that are of pink color.
The presence of swirls and the veins help differentiate.
Rhodonite is more durable than rhodochrosite.
It is due to the difference in the hardness score.
Rhodonite has a hardness score of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Moh hardness scale.
The score of the rhodochrosite is 3.5 to 4.
It means that you can scratch the rhodochrosite with rhodonite.
It is harder to carve the rhodonite to make decorative products because it has low durability.
You can also observe the veins and swirl alignment in the crystals to know the difference.
Why Do People Often Mistake Rhodonite and Rhodochrosite?
People confuse rhodonite and rhodochrosite crystals because of their similar colors.
Rhodonite and rhodochrosite crystals can have pink to red hues due to the manganese.
It is hard to find rhodonite from the pile of rhodochrosite because of its similar color.
Some sellers also label rhodonite with the label rhodochrosite because they want to make a profit.
Rhodonite is an expensive material. It is due to crystal durability and the rarity.
It is better to get an expert opinion when you want to buy an expensive rhodonite.
Jewelers also use these stones in making jewelry interchangeably.
They may not give correct information about the stone.
It can lead to confusion as people think they have rhodochrosite, but they have rhodonite.
What Makes Rhodochrosite Expensive?
Rhodocrosite is one of the most expensive materials in the world.
It is famous among crystal collectors because of its pink color and mesmerizing crystal formation.
The price of a rhodochrosite crystal depends on the number of inclusion and the level of transparency.
You may have to pay thousands of dollars for a small crystal with fewer inclusions and high transparency.
You can hit the jackpot if you find a crystal with orangy-red color with fewer inclusions.
You may have to pay 430 dollars per carat for this stone.
The price of rhodochrosite is double the price of rhodonite.
What are the key differences between Rhodonite and Rhodochrosite?
Rhodonite and rhodochrosite are both popular gemstones with distinct characteristics. The opalite versus moonstone differences lie in their color and chemical composition.
Rhodonite typically has deep pink or red hues, while rhodochrosite is known for its pink, red, or brown coloration. Additionally, rhodonite contains manganese, while rhodochrosite contains manganese carbonate.
What Makes Rhodonite Expensive?
Rhodonite is expensive due to high demand and short supply.
You cannot find this mineral all over the world.
There are some limited places with rhodonite.
The demand for a mineral also increases its price.
Rhodonite is in high demand due to its use in jewelry.
As more jewelers are looking for this mineral, the price has increased in the market.
You can get an opaque stone with many inclusions at a lower price.
It can start from the price tag of 60 dollars per carat.
It will be expensive if there are no inclusions and the crystal has high transparency, it will be expensive.
You may get a clear stone with fewer inclusions at 260 dollars per carat.
How Can You Tell if Rhodonite Is Real?
You can tell if rhodonite is authentic by looking at the stone color.
You can find color information at local stone stores.
It will be easier to identify the stone when you know the color.
Checking for imperfections is the best way to check the authenticity of a crystal.
You can use a magnifying glass to find some imperfections.
It is a synthetic stone if you do not get any of these.
A pearly luster on the crystal is an indication of the authentic specimen.