Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite is a popular beautiful pink mineral of manganese carbonate.  It is a relatively soft stone, making it an easy one to cut and polish.  Rhodochrosite can form as gemmy crystals, or more often it is seen as banded concentric layers that form as stalagtite-type formations.  This mineral is found associated with metal ores and forms from hydrothermal fluids that are rich in manganese reacting with surrounding limestone that is rich in carbonate.

Rhodochrosite is associated with the heart chakra, with the energy of love and fulfillment.