The Gemstone Rhodonite
Chemistry: (Mn,
Fe, Mg, Ca)5(SiO3)5 ,
Manganese Iron Magnesium Calcium Silicate.
Class: Silicates
Subclass: Inosilicates
Crystal structure: Triclinic, often massive.
Group: Pyroxenoid
Uses: gemstone, minor ore of manganese
Hardness: 5.5 - 6.5.
Specific Gravity: apx. 3.4 - 3.7
Fracture: conchoidal
Streak: white.
Rhodonite is named after the Greek word for rose, rhodon. Its rose-pink
color is distinctive and can only be confused with rhodochrosite and
the rare mineral, pyroxmangite, MnSiO3. Rhodochrosite however is streaked
with white minerals such as calcite and is reactive to acids. While
Rhodonite does not react to acids and is usually associated with black
manganese minerals and pyrite.
Transparent crystals are rare and fragile. But some are still found
and distributed on the mineral markets. They come from a few notable
localities and are considered classics by collectors. Crystals are generally
translucent and rarely transparent.
Rhodonite is typically pink to red or orange and even black. It's beautiful
pink color often
has black manganese oxide veins running through it, giving it a distinct
appearance. For this reason it is carved into beads, cabochons, and
ornamental objects. In 18th century Russia, it was used extensively
for decorating the Russian court.
Rhodonite typically comes in massive, coarse and fine granular aggregates.
Other minerals
associated with Rhodonite are calcite, pyrite, microcline, spessartine,
pyroxmangite and other manganese minerals.
Some of the more notable occurrences of Rhodonite. Are the Ural Mountains,
Russia; Broken Hill, Australia; Langban, Sweden; Menas Gerais, Brazil;
Massachusetts; Franklin, New Jersey and Canada.
Some of the lesser known occurrences are right here
in our Northwestern USA. Rhodonite has been found in California, Colorado,
Montana, Oregon, Washington, and here in Idaho near New Meadows.
Our Idaho material has been unavailable for many years.
But there are rumors of a possible reopening, of this area. We have
some of this material from old collections and some of it is stunning.
It comes in verities from very deep pink with dark black lines to brown
and pink laced with yellow Spassartite Garnet.
