Rhodochrosite is a very attractive mineral with an absolutely one of a kind pink color with some surface banding or some kind of symmetrical pattern. The colors ranges from white with pink hues (very rare) to transparent rose pink. Rhodochrosite is a cousin of calcite, but where calcite has calcium, rhodochrosite has manganese, where it gets it’s pink color.

Rhodochrosite's softness and brittleness limit it as a gemstone for everyday use, but is often carved into figurines for display purposes. Some of them are sliced into circles to show their concentric bands that are very unique in the mineral world.