Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Question: What is Colorado’s state mineral?

Answer: Rhodochrosite, a deep red to rose-pink crystal found in some gold and silver ore-bearing veins, became Colorado’s official state mineral in 2002. Colorado’s three geological symbols—rhodochrosite, yule marble, and aquamarine—correspond to the colors red, white, and blue.

The world’s largest rhodochrosite specimen was found in the Sweet Home Mine near Alma, a town south of Breckenridge, and is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.