metamorphic
Rhodonite
Rhodonite, (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO₃
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectPink to raspberry-red, opaque, with a vitreous to dull luster and irregular fracture; hardness about 5.5–6.5 Mohs. Typically triclinic, often mottled with black manganese-oxide veins and pale mineral inclusions.
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Physical properties
Pink to raspberry-red, opaque, with a vitreous to dull luster and irregular fracture; hardness about 5.5–6.5 Mohs. Typically triclinic, often mottled with black manganese-oxide veins and pale mineral inclusions.
Formation & geological history
Forms through metamorphism of manganese-rich sediments or hydrothermal alteration; deposits occur in varied geological ages, commonly in metamorphic terranes.
Uses & applications
Used as a decorative and carving stone, in beads and cabochons, and occasionally as a manganese ore.
Geological facts
Rhodonite’s vivid pink color comes chiefly from manganese; black dendritic veins commonly result from manganese oxides.
Field identification & locations
The polished, rounded specimen is consistent with rhodonite, though visual identification alone is not definitive. Look for pink color with dark manganese-oxide markings; notable sources include Russia, Australia, Sweden, and the United States.
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Rhodonite
(Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3
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