mineral

Rhodonite

Rhodonite (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3

Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Pink to rose-red with black manganese oxide veins or patches; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.7

Hardness: 5
Color: Pink to rose-red with black manganese oxide veins or patches
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified July 6, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5; Color: Pink to rose-red with black manganese oxide veins or patches; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Triclinic; Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.7

Formation & geological history

Formed in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks or hydrothermal deposits. Often associated with manganese ore bodies and hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a gemstone, for lapidary work (tumbled stones, beads, carvings), and as an ornamental stone in interior design.

Geological facts

The name comes from the Greek word 'rhodos', meaning rosy. It is the state gemstone of Massachusetts, USA. Unlike rhodochrosite, rhodonite is a silicate and much harder.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive pink color paired with black dendritic or vein-like inclusions of manganese oxide. Found in Russia, Australia, Brazil, and the USA.