Magical properties and characteristics of the Rhodochrosite stone

History of the gem

The history of the mineral is connected with the Aztecs, the indigenous people of the American continent. It is not for nothing that one of the names of the mineral is “Inca rose”. The Indians believed that the crystals were the petrified blood of their rulers.

The ancient Greeks came up with a romantic legend of the origin of the gem. A hermit magician fell in love with a beautiful girl, they began to live together in a cave. But the beauty yearned for living trees and flowers. Then the sorcerer “decorated” the walls of the cave with pink stone flowers. These were rhodochrosites.

History and origin

Historians believe that the mineral was known to the ancient Aztecs, and it is not without reason that one of its names is Inca rose. There was a widespread belief among the Indians about the transformation of rulers into stone after death, whose congealed blood was rhodochrosite.

The stone also has other names - manganese spar (due to its chemical composition) and crimson spar (due to its color). These terms are outdated and are rarely used nowadays. The name “rhodochrosite” itself is translated from Greek as “rose color”, since the most valuable samples of ore are colored red or pink.

Brown and yellowish-gray specimens are also found. The color of the mineral depends on the nature and amount of impurities. Often found in rhodochrosite:

• calcium;
• iron;
• cadmium;
• cobalt;
• magnesium;
• zinc.

Finding rhodochrosite in its pure form is a great success. It is usually found in association (compound) with barite, siderite, opal, garnet, calcite and other minerals. The structure of the gem is manganese carbonate.

The rhodochrosite stone received its first description from the point of view of mineralogy thanks to scientists who did this work in 1813. According to his work, the formation of rhodochrosite occurs in several cases:

1. Structural change under the influence of pressure and temperature of manganese ores of sedimentary origin.
2. In deposits of zinc, copper, silver, and lead that form at different temperatures.
3. During weathering of iron-manganese deposits.

Rhodochrosite is used as a jewelry and decorative stone. In addition, the use of gems is widespread in the chemical industry and metallurgy (steel and cast iron smelting).

Place of Birth

The largest deposits of jewelry stone on the planet were discovered in Argentina. Since the last century, the country has remained a leader in production volumes.

Deposits of rhodochrosite are scattered throughout the planet, and each stone has its own color:

• the white-pink mineral is mined in the USA, it is a stone from the state of Colorado;
• red – Peru, South Africa, USA;
• cherry – Mongolia;
• greenish, similar to malachite – Afghanistan, Europe (Germany, Romania, Balkans);
• colors of ripe raspberries – Kazakhstan, Balkans, Russia.

Rare transparent rhodochrosite is mined on an industrial scale in South Africa.

The highlands of Argentina are famous for caves with agglomerates up to half a meter wide. The local Capillitas mine is the only place on Earth where there are capillites, a variety of rhodochrosite with dark brown stripes.

Russia is the leader in the extraction of raw materials for industrial purposes.

The healing properties of rhodochrosite

Has a positive effect on the skin

Many practicing magicians also attribute healing properties to rhodochrosite. Thanks to the pure concentrated energy that is contained in it, diseases can be treated:

• eye;
• of cardio-vascular system;
• skin;
• nervous system.

Lithotherapists - doctors who practice treatment with various stones, claim that with the help of rhodochrosite it is possible to cure skin diseases, as well as remove acne and various diathesis. To do this, special plates are made from the mineral, which are heated and wrapped in fabric. Afterwards the skin is massaged with them.

But experts who study chakras are confident that the main property of the stone is its direct influence on the heart chakra. Therefore, for people who have heart problems, as well as those who have had a heart attack.

Some magicians also practice removing negative energy from a person with the help of this mineral. For this purpose, polished rhodochrosite balls are specially made. Using circular movements, roll out the negative in places where it accumulates. Since the main sphere of influence of the stone is the heart chakra, rolling out is done in the area of ​​the chest and shoulder blades. You can also rid a person of negativity using a photo. This requires more effort, but is no less effective.

Physico-chemical characteristics

To the mineralogist, rhodochrosite is manganese carbonate, an ore-forming mineral.

The description of a mineral always includes a color characteristic. The color scheme depends on the concentration of manganese and other elements.

The dominance of manganese lightens the color of the stone, while iron makes it more intense.

History of rhodochrosite

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The term “rhodochrosite” is of Greek origin: “chrosis” translates as “color”, and “rhodon” means “rose”, that is, it turns out to be a “rose-colored stone”. It is not surprising that the Greeks gave the delicate and beautiful gem a name that fully reveals its external beauty. The Americans called rhodochrosite the “Rose of the Incas.”

There is a beautiful legend about how the mineral rhodochrosite appeared on our planet. A long time ago, when people and gods lived peacefully next to each other, in one deep cave lived a young beautiful elf, a powerful sorcerer. He met Anna, a beautiful earthly girl, and fell in love with her. The girl reciprocated the elf’s feelings and came to him to live together in his cave. But very soon, underground, Anna began to feel sad, remembering her beloved garden, in which magnificently beautiful roses bloomed. The elf wanted to console his beloved and came up with a magic spell, thanks to which the walls in the cave were transformed - many stone flowers resembling living roses appeared on them. Anna became cheerful again and fell in love with the elf even more. And flowers made of stone remained forever on our land in the form of rhodochrosites.

Rhodonite and rhodochrosite

These two minerals are often confused. They are similar in composition and physical properties, but visually rhodochrosite differs from rhodonite.

Rhodonite rock

Appearance of rhodonite: dark veins and streaks and a structure reminiscent of ribbon jasper. Rhodochrosite has light veins and a structure similar to malachite.

Rhodochrosite Crystal

Physical properties

Low stone hardness parameters cause problems when trying to process it. There is always a high risk that crystal destruction will occur during mechanical cutting. Although rhodochrosite, despite this danger, is appreciated by master jewelers, esotericists, folk healers, and people who collect natural minerals.

The stone has a certain transparency. Guided by it, the nugget is classified into categories. Transparent stones belong to the jewelry type. All the rest are classified as ornamental breeds, industrial types. Rhodochrosites are sensitive to hydrochloric acid. A stone placed in it boils quickly if the liquid is heated.

Areas of application of stone

The properties of rhodochrosite are in demand in serious industries and the beauty industry.

Jewelry

The main area of ​​application of the stone. According to the jewelry classification, rhodochrosite is a semi-precious stone. A full range of jewelry is made from it. Almost always these are cabochons or beads, since cutting a gem is problematic.

Rhodochrosite is best combined with malachite and turquoise in jewelry.

This color combination expands the compatibility of products with the wardrobe and allows you to create a joyful mood.

Jewelry with Rhodochrosite

A wide range of stones - from the color of tea rose to bright pink - makes it possible to choose an option for a lady of any age.

Decor

The randomness of the surface pattern and the ease of processing allow stone cutters to create things for every taste. Aerobatics is to correlate the pattern of the stone surface with the type of product.

Industry

The chemical industry and metallurgy use ponyte and ferrorhodochrosite. These varieties of rhodochrosite with a predominance of iron serve as a source in the production of manganese and as an additive in the process of smelting cast iron, steel, and ferromanganese.

Rhodochrosite with Zodiac Signs

The mineral rhodochrosite is perfect for almost all people, regardless of their date of birth, although it is recognized as a Scorpio stone. The mineral brings incredible harmony to Gemini. It is important for them to wear a talisman containing a pink stone in order to better understand those around them and find the true meaning of life. For Libra, the nugget will bring an idyll and strengthen family happiness. It is advisable for each spouse to have identical products.

The mineral is better suited for those whose zodiac sign is stronger. Cancers are advised to wear jewelry with it carefully, since the mineral can increase the nervousness and constant anxiety inherent in this sign. This is especially noticeable during the waxing Moon, when Cancers are extremely emotional, they are very vulnerable during this period, fears and inexplicable anxieties manifest themselves for no reason.

Any woman will want earrings or beads with crystals like a talisman. It is better for men to have a keychain with it or a figurine of the animal. Girls are unable to remain indifferent to the enchanting beauty of the gem. The presence of a figurine in the house ensures family well-being and a stable income. The mineral is a wonderful decoration, a real assistant that helps you get out of any difficult situation.

How to care for stone

The hardness of rhodochrosite is below average, it is fragile, and therefore deserves a reverent attitude:

1. Dirt is removed with a cloth soaked in soapy water after each use of the jewelry or stone. Its structure is such that dirt is absorbed and difficult to remove later.
2. Wipe the washed stone immediately: prolonged contact with water will destroy it.
3. Jewelry should not be worn in the hot sun: the mineral will fade or fade.
4. Jewelry is removed before starting homework.
5. For a product made of natural stone, a separate durable box or box is allocated.

The gem is cleansed of “dirty” energy by burying the jewelry in the ground for two/three days or hanging it on a tree. You can rinse the stone well with running water.

Varieties of rhodochrosite

Depending on the presence of various impurities, this gem can have a variety of shades.

There are even specimens that have a barely noticeable pink color (USA, Colorado).

However, the most expensive and in demand are crystals painted in shades of rich crimson.

Crystals painted in such unusual colors always evoke associations with flowers.

Therefore, their shades are called lavender, lilac, violet.

Stones with high transparency or unusual patterns are used for decorative purposes.

The rest of the rock is used in metallurgy and the chemical industry.

How to identify a fake

They offer plastic under the guise of a gem. You can distinguish natural rhodochrosite from a fake, taking into account the characteristics of the original:

• The color of natural stone is calm even in intensely pink specimens. A flashy color scheme is inherent in a fake.
• The painted imitation is identified by rubbing it with a cotton swab moistened with acetone. A trace of paint will remain on the fleece.
• Paint accumulations may be visible on a fake.
• The surface of the stone is distinguished by a chaotic pattern with veins - it is impossible to reproduce it on a fake.
• If you bring a lighter to the sample, the stone will not be damaged. The plastic will begin to melt.

Finally, the classic method for minerals is to hold the sample in your hands. Heated up quickly, which means it's fake.

How to spot a fake

Due to the high price, there is a possibility of purchasing a fake, so first of all you need to know what the stone looks like. Rhodochrosite has a sedimentary structure and is therefore softer than many other minerals.

This structure does not allow the paint to be well absorbed into the rock layers. Therefore, artificial coloring can be easily determined by rubbing the product with a cotton swab dipped in acetone or another solvent.

You can also find an imitation of rhodochrosite made of plastic, painted pink or crimson (like the stone itself). In order to distinguish a fake, it is enough to hold the mineral over the flame of a candle or lighter. Natural stone will never begin to melt under the influence of high temperatures.

Price

Russian online stores offer the following range of products (cost, rub.):

• bracelet, bead diameter 8 mm – 980;
• ring (silver) – 3,450;
• ball, 30 mm – 4,300;
• cabochon, 10 mm – 470;
• polishing, 47x37x20 mm – 7,800.

Earrings with Rhodochrosite
Almost all the material originates from Argentina.

Jewelers and the Inca Rose

Rhodochrosite is breathtakingly beautiful. But its use in jewelry is very limited. The reason is its perfect cleavage - a mechanical property based on the weakening of the chemical bonds of the crystal lattice. When exposed to stones with a tool, they easily split along layered planes into plates or beam-like pieces with a smooth surface.

Despite its complexity, the Inca rose is loved by many jewelers. It is affectionately called rose, dewdrop, orlet.

Rhodochrosite is breathtakingly beautiful. But its use in jewelry is very limited.

Jewelry with it has attractive power and extraordinary beauty. The delicate surfaces of processed stones with veined layers and iridescence of various shades of pink resemble an entire universe enclosed in a precious frame. Glass shine and translucency give such products a touch of magic and mystery.

Rhodochrosite is one of those stones that can be loved or adored. Bracelets, pendants, rings, earrings, and keychains made from this mineral are so beautiful that it is simply impossible to remain indifferent to their beauty.

Magic properties

The main esoteric characteristic of rhodochrosite is a planetary symbol of love in all its manifestations.

Overall Impact

The pink talisman has the following magical properties:

• Able to attract attention to the owner, adding charisma to him.
• Relieves insecurity, outbursts of aggression, and jealousy.
• Gives calmness and confidence during casting, negotiations, interviews, testing.
• Helps to get rid of old grievances, forgive enemies and start life with a clean slate and a light soul.
• It makes a lady touchingly defenseless, so on a date it is better to wear some jewelry with a pink crystal.
• Establishes telepathic communication with relatives.

Rhodochrosite has a special meaning for a person who is tormented by doubts or uncertainty.

Talismans

A pebble or rhodochrosite decoration is suitable as a talisman.

Ring with Rhodochrosite

You just need to understand the meaning of the stone and use it correctly:

1. If the goal is love, romance, motherhood, Feng Shui advises to allocate the southwestern segment of the house or room to the talisman.

Any product made from rhodochrosite or an unprocessed mineral is a reliable home amulet against external negativity. An animal figurine or a vase in a prominent place attracts money.

1. A brooch or earrings with a large stone will reflect negativity, a ring will calm aggression. The bracelet is worn when wanting to find a soul mate or gain respectability.
2. To ensure that the energy does not weaken, the talisman is cleaned monthly with running water. If there is a suspicion of vampirism, other targeted negativity, cleanse immediately upon arriving home.

The owner of the rhodochrosite talisman will reveal himself slowly, but will force even inveterate opponents to respect himself.

However, it will be necessary to conduct an audit of life priorities, especially highlighting the negative qualities of character and soul. They will have to be abandoned. If this is not included in the plans, the use of rhodochrosite is excluded.

To get used to a pebble, you need to stay with it for at least six months, 8–9 hours a day.

Healing properties

There is a whole area of ​​alternative medicine that studies the influence of various minerals on the course of a particular disease. It's called lithotherapy. Its supporters endow rhodochrosite with a wide range of properties that provide a positive effect on human health.

The healing stone rhodochrosite is often a feminine stone due to its delicate colors. It is also suitable for women in the field of health restoration. The mineral helps normalize hormonal levels during menopause and cures amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.

Faceted beads of rhodochrosite are used for facial massage. The procedure reduces the number of wrinkles, improves skin tone and improves its color in a relatively short time. The stone also relieves skin diseases - psoriasis and eczema of various etiologies.

With the help of the gem, pain in the joints, throat and other areas of inflammation (in particular, arthrosis) is relieved. Its healing properties are manifested in accelerating recovery after surgery and courses of aggressive therapy.

Natural stone actively influences the human nervous system, relieving stress and depression, normalizing sleep and having a general calming effect. Cases of cure for Parkinson's disease with the help of mineral applications have been recorded.

Rhodochrosite has a positive effect on the visual centers, relieving eye tension and improving vision. This is especially true for people whose work involves prolonged eye strain - drivers, jewelers, office workers, working at a computer.

The mineral restores the health of the cardiovascular system. It cures anemia (anemia) and heart pathologies, helps cleanse the blood and remove toxins from the body, normalizes blood pressure, neutralizing the symptoms and consequences of hypertension.

Even such a serious blood disease as chlorosis, accompanied by a lack of iron in the body and dysfunction of the glands of the reproductive system, is amenable to the healing effects of the gem.

In addition, rhodochrosite is used in the treatment of:

• liver pathologies;
• cancerous tumors;
• encephalopathy.

For the most effective effect, rhodochrosite is used as applications and charging the water that the patient should drink. The stone also exhibits its healing effect when located close to a person. Samples are stored in places where they spend the most time (i.e. the neck, on the arms), or worn close to the body in the area of ​​​​the focus of the disease.

Therapeutic effect

The healing power of rhodochrosite has been proven by healers and lithotherapists. Even official medicine does not deny them, linking them with the presence of manganese in the mineral. It ensures bone growth, body restoration, and absorption of nutrients.

What does the mineral treat?

The healing stone helps with the following problems:

• depression, other nervous disorders;
• anemic;
• psoriasis, eczema;
• slagging of the blood and the body as a whole;
• hypertension;
• joint diseases;
• visual impairment.

Rhodochrosite is especially suitable for anyone who sits at a computer for hours or strains their eyes.

The stone helps to recover faster after aggressive interventions (surgery, chemotherapy).

Rhodochrosite is considered a lady's stone not only because of its delicate colors. Its medicinal properties help eliminate hormonal imbalances, especially during menopause. The stone cures amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea.

Treatment options

Each type of disease has its own methods of healing with the mineral:

• You can improve your vision and neutralize depression by contemplating a pebble every day for at least 5–10 minutes.
• Problems of the skin and joints are solved by massage with heated balls or application of rhodochrosite plates to the affected areas. A heated pebble at the base of the skull helps with asthma, breathing problems, and migraines.
• Suspension on the chest improves heart function and strengthens blood vessels. It or the bracelet on the left hand normalizes the pressure.
• A pebble under the pillow relieves nightmares and restless sleep.

Massage with rhodochrosite balls smooths out wrinkles, making the skin elastic and radiant.

Lithotherapists advise

The healing properties of the mineral will help fight skin diseases.

Rhodochrosite is suitable for treating:

• kidney diseases;
• thyroid diseases;
• vascular diseases.

Massage with a healing stone heals the skin and even (as traditional healers claim) has a rejuvenating effect.

We recommend: BLACK ONYX stone

Wear rosary beads or bracelets made of rhodochrosite, and peace of mind will be less likely to leave you. These jewelry will help keep your blood pressure in check (if you wear the bracelet on your left hand).

The pink stone is believed to have a magical affinity with blood. Apparently, this is why lithotherapists are confident that jewelry with crimson spar normalizes blood pressure and normalizes heart rhythm.

Important: if you wear jewelry for medicinal purposes, make sure that the stone constantly touches the skin. Beads and bracelets are suitable. Earrings and rings are not your healers.

In the East, tinctures were prepared from pink stone to treat neoplasms.

Advanced homeopaths prepare alcohol solutions for the treatment of ear diseases and female diseases.

Rhodochrosite.

Sometimes the greatness of a stone lies in its name. This is rhodochrosite: a stone translated from Greek, colored like a rose. The best examples of rhodochrosite resemble a rose flower not only in color, but also in the patterned natural pattern.

Manganese spar MnCO3 (this is the industrial name of the mineral rhodochrosite) can have a different structure.

It occurs in the form of scaly aggregates, spherulites, deposits, and crystals. Like many carbonates, rhodochrosite reacts with hydrochloric acid.

Boiling violently in a heated concentrated acid, the mineral calmly reacts with an acid diluted ten times and cooled to room temperature. This property makes it possible to clean rhodochrosite spherulites from calcite deposits.

This mineral is not uncommon, although deposits of high-quality stone are few in number. High-quality rhodochrosite crystals are found in caves in South America, where they grow on manganese spar stalactites. The crystals are sometimes densely colored and transparent. Their natural shape is close to a cube, but in fact each of the faces is a rhombus.

The first experiments in the production of facet-cut jewelry inserts from rhodochrosite date back to the early 50s of the last century.

The mineral has been used as an ornamental stone and facing material for at least a thousand years. During this time, several times - at the time of peak demand - half-hearted attempts were made to falsify the stone. However, the artificial coloring turned out to be either implausible or unstable.

And cheaper minerals, similar to rhodochrosite in appearance (rhodonite, for example), themselves experienced periodic price increases.

Interesting examples of rhodochrosite are also known in other countries.

In Peru, pinkish-orange crystals of this mineral are found in the Uchuchacua and Cacua deposits. Magnificent radial sinter formations of bright pink color are mined in Argentina, in the vicinity of San Luis. Rhodochrosite crystals were discovered in South Africa (Hotazel ​​deposit) and Germany (Grube-Wolf deposit).

Sinter formations of pink stone and its pseudomorphoses from fossil remains of mollusk shells are known in Ukraine, in the Kerch region.

African rhodochrosites.

One of the rhodochrosite druses from the thematic exhibition in South Africa.

Rhodochrosite. Cavnic, Romania

Its magnificent crystals amaze with the perfection of their edges and depth of color, and the polished cuts of sinter formations resemble the structure of the trunks of fantastic trees.

You can buy rhodochrosite not only in pink color. Crystals of a juicy cherry hue are found in Mongolia and America. Kazakh, Ural and European rhodochrosites can have a beautiful strawberry color.

There are also layered stones, in which blurry greenish shades predominate.

The state of Colorado has adopted white-pink rhodochrosite as its official symbol, and Argentina is famous for the banded rhodochrosite deposits petrified in the caves of the country's silver deposits.

Argentine rhodochrosites are very picturesque.

Rhodochrosite. Capillitas, Catamarca, Argentina. Sample: The Vienna Museum eats. stories.

Rhodochrosite is one of the favorite collectible minerals, valued primarily for its inimitable color. On the international market for collectible materials, some samples are valued higher than gold of equal weight.

Thus, at the Tucson Show in 2011, huge samples of the mineral found in China and received the poetic names “Emperor” and “Empress” of China did not find a worthy buyer and were taken back to China.

"Emperor of China".

"Empress of China"

Rhodochrosite crystals form by precipitation from hot aqueous solutions as they cool in cracks and voids in the host rock. The most beautiful examples of rhodochrosite are found in the USA at the Sweet Home mine (Colorado).

Silver has been mined here since 1895, and the magnificent red crystals were only an accompanying material. When it was over, the adits were closed.

At the end of the 20th century. American mineral collector Brian Lees and his associates decided to revive abandoned mines again. In the spring of 1991, five daredevils went to the Rocky Mountains, where the Sweet Home mine lies at an altitude of 3540 m above sea level. Rhodochrosite, according to the plan of the miners, was intended for sale, so the work was carried out under strict secrecy.

The results of the first year of work were very modest. We managed to find only one large crystal measuring about 3.5 cm and several small ones. However, the prospectors did not give up, and in 1992 the search continued. Finally, on June 6, happiness smiled upon them: they discovered a cleft in the rocks, which stretched 2.5 m and was completely filled with wonderful crystals of rhodochrosite and quartz! 200 amazing specimens were extracted from it. From this time on, luck was firmly established at the Sweet Home mine. The discoveries followed one after another. Prospectors opened up new crevasses full of excellent material. The drusen became larger and more perfect. Individual crystals of rhodochrosite reached 7.5 cm!

At the mineral exhibition in Denver in 1992, the samples presented by B. Lees created a real sensation: collectors and dealers lined up at the pavilion from four o'clock in the morning.

The limited use in cutting is caused by the perfect cleavage of the mineral, due to which it is practically impossible to process - it easily splits in certain directions. But it is used more often in large pieces, since the pattern is effectively expressed in them. The stone is used for arts and crafts, cabochons, beads and necklaces. Faceted stones are usually of interest only to collectors; this is rare for jewelry.

Some types of rhodochrosite formations.

Spherulites.

Rhodochrosite (spherulites up to 0.8 cm) National Museum “Earth and People”, Bulgaria.

Drusen and crystals.

Rhodochrosite. Druze of blocky, partially leached crystals of scalenohedral habit. Maden Lakos, Greece.

Rhodochrosite. Rhythmic-zonal spherulite crust. Inakuraishi, Japan.

Rhodochrosite. Spherulite crust on rock. Kazakhstan.

Crust on the rock.

Well known to pre-Columbian America, the Incas considered the stone rhodochrosite to be the solidified blood of semi-divine leaders of the past. Therefore, in the Latin American region, the mineral was given the name Inca rose. The stone was also called Rosite in Europe, and this name was respectful: ancient witchcraft manuals emphasized the magical power of the mineral.

When working with rhodochrosite, the most important thing is its quality. Rhodochrosite typically has a light pink color and many white stripes or areas of brown and white.

Only rare stones are transparent and have a deep red-orange color.

I was lucky to get my hands on an interesting specimen.

In the East, rhodochrosite was called the stone of dawn. This stone represents love, vitality, passion and thirst for knowledge. Fills the owner with vital energy, cleanses from negativity on the physical and spiritual level. This stone imparts dynamic and positive qualities.

It is believed that rhodochrosite makes a person more energetic and enterprising. In Mongolia, people wear jewelry with rhodochrosite to evoke love, calm violent emotions and fill the soul with the energy of life, maintain a positive attitude, increase daydreaming and creativity. This stone connects you with the higher mind and helps you absorb new information. .

This stone can open the path to happiness in love for its owner. But it is good for everyone who is looking for sincere and mutual feelings. and does not help those who seek to win the sympathy and affection of others for selfish purposes.

According to tradition, stone carving)))

Rhodochrosite resembles watermelon pulp

Thank you for your attention)))

Regards, Tatiana.

Rhodochrosite - all about the stone, magical properties, photos, who is it suitable for

More than five hundred thousand years ago, the largest Indian state, the Incas, existed in South America. When talking about the wealth of the Incas, people usually remember the legendary gold that the Spaniards hunted for. But there was also something else - the Incan rose.

This stone is now called rhodochrosite and is most often used to obtain manganese. But during the times of the Incas it was covered in legends. It was believed that this was the blood of ancient rulers turned to stone.

Therefore, jewelry with rhodochrosite was sacred.

Now in Argentina, in Catamarca, there is a unique Capillitas mine. The ancient Incas began to develop it, they were replaced by the Spaniards, and then the Germans and the British. Hundreds of minerals are found here, including rare ones: hessite, germanite, colusite. Over such a long time, the length of the mine reached 30 kilometers.

Fortunately for the cave and its contents, it is located high - about 3000 meters. Extraction of sulfides from it is unprofitable, so the mine was abandoned. This preserved its amazing rhodochrosite stalactites and stalagmites, several million years old. Some formations reach half a meter in girth and three meters in length.

But outwardly these are just brown stone icicles that do not cause much admiration. The main beauty is hidden inside the stone. Local rhodochrosite is also notable for the fact that it is free from the admixture of other sulfides. Sometimes there are rare transparent crystals that grow directly on stalactites.

However, their size is no more than one centimeter.

In 1986, an even more interesting cave was found in the same places. With stalactites up to five meters long. They didn't even have time to photograph them. While scientists were about to study and document the unique formations, the mine was looted.

The stalactites were cut, split, polished and sold all over the world. Until now, up to 200 tons of mineral are mined in this mine annually. The barbaric attitude towards gems has deprived humanity of an interesting miraculous monument, but without this the world would not have known about the mineral rhodochrosite.

After all, it was these fragments of stalactites that made people fall in love with them, and a demand for rhodochrosite stone appeared. At the same time, ancient legends about it came to mind, and esotericists began to test its magical properties.

Most of them have been confirmed, so jewelry with rhodochrosite can become not just a trinket, but a powerful talisman.