Round 1 Match 9
Bold, vivid, and saturated; today’s matchup is a celebration of color.
Rhodochrosite (MnCO₃), aptly named from the Greek word for “rose-colored,” does not disappoint. From a deep rosy-brown to the palest of pinks, rhodochrosite occurs in all the shades of red, and though softer (Mohs 3.5 -4), makes a lovely gemstone.
Turquoise is such a vibrant blue-green that its colour was named after it. Chemically, it’s a copper-aluminum phosphate and can contain some iron in it. It is probably one of the first gem stones that was mined as there is a lot of ancient jewelery with turquoise inlays (ancient Egypt, Aztecs, Native North American Tribes, Orient).
Which do you choose?
Turquoise from Iran and Rhodochrosite from Argentina. Image credit: Smithsonian Institute
Rhodochrosite. Image credit: Alyssa Kaess / RockitSage
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