While it does look like rhodochrosite, it Could be a cobalt mineral too like roselite.. Ask your local Uni chem department if the can test it using x-Ray diffraction.
Cheers
Dermot
Museum Victoria, Melbourne.
Sent from my iPad
On 2 Apr 2015, at 8:37 pm, Simon Moore <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
I would agree with Jan,
Much too pink for cinnabar (orange-red) and it could well be rhodochrosite (Manganese carbonate) as, I think, it is often associated with iron ore.
With all good wishes, Simon.
Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian,
www.natural-history-conservation.com<http://www.natural-history-conservation.com>
On 2 Apr 2015, at 10:22, Freedman, Jan <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Hey Hannah,
It doesn’t look like cinnabar – that is generally darker.
It looks like rhodochrosite – a really pretty pink mineral - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite isn’t a toxic or hazardous mineral. Best stored in a clear box, nested in acid free tissue, or with Plasterzote cut outs.
Nice find! It would be worth checking the local geology to see if it occurs there. Because it is a visually pretty specimen, it may have been traded and ended up far from its original source…
Jan
Jan Freedman
Curator of Natural History
Economic Development
Plymouth City Council
Plymouth City Museum & Art Gallery
Drake Circus
Plymouth
PL4 8AJ
T +441752304765
E [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
www.plymouth.gov.uk<http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/>
From: The Natural Science Collections Association discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Hannah Russ
Sent: 02 April 2015 10:16
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Pink mineral?
Dear all,
We have come across this bright pink ?mineral/?pigment/?industrial waste/?something else, during excavation of Roman deposits in northern England.
We're a bit stumped! We have ideas about it being used in metal working, and have considered that it could be cinnabar, but really we're in the dark.
Any ideas/identification would be very welcomed. (also, if it is toxic/harmful....any advice on storage etc also encouraged!)
Enjoy the extended weekend!
With best wishes, Hannah
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