mineral
Rhodonite
Manganese Inosilicate (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3
Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Pink, rose-red, or brownish-red often with black manganese oxide veins; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect; Specific gravity: 3.5-3.7
- Hardness
- 5
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Pink, rose-red, or brownish-red often with black manganese oxide veins; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Cleavage: Perfect; Specific gravity: 3.5-3.7
Formation & geological history
Formed in metamorphic rocks and hydrothermal deposits often associated with manganese ores and contact metamorphism. Often found in deposits dating back to various geological periods including the Proterozoic.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a gemstone for jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental stone for carvings, and occasionally as a source of manganese ore.
Geological facts
The name is derived from the Greek word 'rhodon', meaning rose. It was officially named the state gemstone of Massachusetts in 1979.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic pink-to-red color often coupled with black dendrites or veins of manganese oxide. Common locations include Russia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the USA.
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