Rhodonite
| Colour | Pink, Red, Black, Brown, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to pearly |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Triclinic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {110} and {10}, (110) ^ (10) = 92.5°; good on {001} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | (Mn 2+ , Fe 2+ , Mg, Ca)SiO 3 |
| Specific gravity | 3.57–3.76 |
What is Rhodonite?
Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate, with the formula (Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca)SiO3, and member of the pyroxenoid group of minerals, crystallizing in the triclinic system. The term rhodonite was first introduced by Germar. from Ancient Greek ῥόδον (rhódon) 'rose'. It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red color often tending to brown due to surface oxidation. The rose-red hue is caused by the manganese cation (Mn2+).
How to identify Rhodonite
- Lustre: Vitreous to pearly.
- Hardness: Mohs 5.5–6.5 — about as hard as a steel knife.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Triclinic crystal system.
Rhodonite in different forms
Stones often confused with Rhodonite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Rhodonite?
Rhodonite is Mohs 5.5–6.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Rhodonite?
Rhodonite is typically pink, red, black, brown, gray (Pink, rose-pink to brownish red, red, gray and yellow).