Rhodonite
Image: Toby Hudson (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameRhodonite
Chemical FormulaMnSiO3
Mohs Hardness5.5
Crystal Systemtriclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageperfect in two directions at nearly 90 degrees
Fractureuneven
Specific Gravity3.6
Colorspink, rose-red, brownish-red, black
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityFranklin, New Jersey, USA; Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia; Minas Gerais, Brazil
Mineral Groupsilicates
Usesjewelry, ornamental stone, carvings, collector
Associated Mineralsrhodochrosite, bustamite, spessartine, manganese oxides
Rarityuncommon
Description
The image displays a collection of raw, angular rock fragments, characterized by a dominant rose-pink to reddish-pink hue, often intergrown with darker grey to black manganese oxides.
Geological Context
Rhodonite typically forms in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks, often associated with other manganese minerals, and can also occur in hydrothermal veins and contact metamorphic deposits.
