Rhodonite

The name Rhodonite derived from Greek "rhodon" - rose. It has dark red colour with black dendritic inclusions of manganese oxide.

Transparent crystals are rare and seldom exceed 1g in weight but they can be cut as excellent gems.

Rhodonite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Rhodonite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Rhodonite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.26 cts
Heaviest:3.60 cts
Average:2.31 cts
Total photos:3
Do you have a larger Rhodonite? Why not upload a photo?
0.26ct to 0.59ct0.59ct to 0.93ct0.93ct to 1.26ct1.26ct to 1.60ct1.60ct to 1.93ct1.93ct to 2.26ct2.26ct to 2.60ct2.60ct to 2.93ct2.93ct to 3.27ct3.27ct to 3.60ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
(Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO
 
3
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Photos of natural/un-cut material from mindat.org
Rhodonite Treatments
May be dyed: acetone test - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 3
Physical Properties of Rhodonite
Mohs Hardness5.5 to 6.5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity3.40 to 3.76
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Rhodonite
Refractive Index1.711 to 1.752
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.010 to 0.014
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismDistinct: yellowish-red - pinkish-red - yellowish-red
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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DispersionNone
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Colour
Colour (General)Red, gray-red - (opaque); red, orange-red (transparent)
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourPink, Mn2+ in octahedral coordination, with minor Fe2+. Mn3+ in octahedral coordination
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyOpaque
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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LustreVitreous,Dull (Earthy)
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Inert
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Crystallography of Rhodonite
Crystal SystemTriclinic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitCommonly tabular or cleavable masses.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Rhodonite occurs in manganese deposits formed by hydrothermal contact and regional metamorphism.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Further Information
Mineral information:Rhodonite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Australia
 
  • New South Wales
    • Yancowinna Co.
      • Broken Hill district
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 444
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Conselheiro Lafaiete
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 444
Peru
 
  • Huánuco
  • Lima
    • Oyón Province
      • Oyón District
Russia
 
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Sysertsky District
      • Sedel'nikovo
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 444
    • Yekaterinburg
      • Kurganovo
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 443
USA
 
  • California
    • Siskiyou County
      • Klamath Mountains
        • Happy Camp
          • Greens Bar placer
MacFall, 1951. Gem Hunter's Guide, 1st ed.; Bradley, W.W. (1936), Thirty-second report of the State Mineralogist: California Division Mines Report 32: 217; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 323.
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