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, and its Mohs hardness varies between 3.5 and 4. Its specific gravity is between 3.5 and 3.7. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, and cleaves with rhombohedral carbonate cleavage in three directions.

Wakhi nomad women milk yaks in Wakhan, Afghanistan. About 12,000 villagers live at an altitude of 4,500 metres in the harsh, desolate terrain. The Wakhi people live a simple, relaxed life with their livestock. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Barcroft Images)

A reveller takes part with her dogs in the annual halloween dog parade at Manhattan’s Tompkins Square Park in New York, U.S. October 22, 2016. (Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters)

A Palestinian protester, dressed as Santa Claus, reacts after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes in the West Bank city of Bethlehem December 23, 2016. (Photo by Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)

An Indian worker paints the hand of a huge clay model of a tribal woman on the Indian state of Karnataka's tableau for Republic Day parade, in New Delhi, India, Friday, January 22, 2016. Security has been tightened around the Indian capital as well as across the country ahead of Republic Day celebrations, held each year on Jan. 26. (Photo by Manish Swarup/AP Photo)

A groundskeeper uses a bamboo broom at Kasumigaike Pond at Kenrokuen Garden in Kanazawa, Japan on January 12, 2016. The japanese garden, located next to Kanazawa Castle, encompasses over 28 acres in downtown Kanazawa. With two ponds, rolling hills with streams and bridges, is considered a strolling-style landscape garden. It's regarded as one of the top three most beautiful gardens in Japan. (Photo by Linda Davidson/The Washington Post)

Kenichi Ito runs on his arms and legs on a race course on his way to setting the Guinness World Record fastest time for the 100-meter dash on all fours at Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium in Tokyo Thursday, November 14, 2013. The 30-year-old Japanese finished in 16.87 seconds Thursday, shaving more than half a second off his 2012 run of 17.47. (Photo by Shizuo Kambayashi/AP Photo)

A Palestinian fisherman cleans up his fishing net after the Israeli decision to close Gaza's fishing zone, on the beach in Gaza City, Tuesday, August 18, 2020. (Photo by Khalil Hamra/AP Photo)