A through review of this popular and eminently collectable species with abundant illustrations which is especially designed for the amateur collector. The geologic settings and crystallography are covered without unnecessarily cumbersome details. Concise discussions of the history, chemical composition, crystal habits, colors, associates and assemblages, is followed by a review of more than 100 localities with photographs from the author's collection. Details of specimen evaluation and display are included. A readable discussion of the many inexpensive variations available are presented to counter the common assumption that rhodochrosite is simply unaffordable.