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rhodochrosite

rhodochrosite

1 9.9
A pink to red mineral that contains manganese and is used to get manganese metal and as a gemstone
  • noun
  • /ˌroʊdəˈkroʊsaɪt/
  • Specialized
: rodocrosita
  • DIAGRAM: 3 Gnomonic projection of Laue pattern of rhodochrosite (MnCO3) (from Wheeler Davey, A Study of Crystal Structure and its Applications, New York, 1934, fig. 13)

Examples

  • Over time, water had risen to within fifteen feet of the 1,200-foot level, where Marquez worked the rhodochrosite vein.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Many collectors seek out rhodochrosite for its vibrant color and crystal formations.

  • Twenty feet beyond was the rhodochrosite lode he was mining.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Rhodochrosite is seldom seen in cut or faceted form.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The gemstone in its natural state, Marquez recognized, was rhodochrosite, a spectacular crystal found in various parts of the world in shades of pink and deep red.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • To be exact, the Miller indices in the gnomonic projection in Fig. 3 could be used to draw a picture of a plausible appearance of a crystal of rhodochrosite, since the physical appearances of individual crystals of any given substance may vary widely.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The beautiful pink mineral rhodochrosite is often used in making unique jewelry pieces.

  • In geology classes, students learn about rhodochrosite as an important source of manganese.

Surface Forms

rhodochrosite singular

Morphology

rhodochrosite = rhodo + chros + ite

Built from Greek combining forms ('rhodo-' + 'chros-') plus the mineral suffix '-ite'; these are not standalone English words and the meaning is not transparently derivable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Rhodochrosite comes from Greek parts rhodo- 'rose' and -chros- 'colour', plus the mineral ending -ite, like in graphite. So it literally means 'rose-coloured stone', which is why rhodochrosite is a pink to red mineral sometimes used as a gemstone.