metamorphic
Rhodonite-bearing metamorphic rock
Rhodonite (MnSiO₃) with quartz and dark manganese oxides, likely a manganiferous schist or breccia
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPink to salmon rhodonite patches occur with gray-green, granular quartz and black manganese-oxide veining; rhodonite is triclinic, has Mohs hardness 5.5–6.5, vitreous to pearly luster, and imperfect cleavage. The specimen appears rough and naturally fractured.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Rhodonite-bearing metamorphic rock in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Pink to salmon rhodonite patches occur with gray-green, granular quartz and black manganese-oxide veining; rhodonite is triclinic, has Mohs hardness 5.5–6.5, vitreous to pearly luster, and imperfect cleavage. The specimen appears rough and naturally fractured.
Formation & geological history
Typically forms during metamorphism or hydrothermal alteration of manganese-rich sediments, commonly in Precambrian terrains. Exact age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.
Uses & applications
Rhodonite is used as an ornamental and lapidary stone, in carvings, beads, and collector specimens; massive material has limited industrial use.
Geological facts
Fresh rhodonite is characteristically rose-pink, while weathering commonly produces black manganese-oxide coatings that create attractive contrast.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its salmon-pink color, black veining, moderate hardness, and lack of visible crystal faces; a streak, hardness, and specific-gravity test would confirm it. Major sources include Russia, Australia, Brazil, Peru, Sweden, and the United States.
More like this
