Rhodonite Sterling Silver Pendant

RHODONITE is named after the Greek word for rose, rhodon.Chemically, it is manganese silicate. Its color is usually pink but it can range to dark pink and even to brown. Rhodonite is distinguished from another pink manganese mineral, rhodochrosite, by its greater hardness (5.5 to 6) and by the presence of black streaks of manganese oxide.

Rhodonite typically comes in massive, coarse and fine granular aggregates. Because of its attractive color and black streaks of manganese oxide, rhodonite is often carved into cabochons, beads and carvings.

Chemistry: MnSiO3 ♦ Chemical group: silicate ♦ Crystal system: triclinic ♦ Transparency: transparent to translucent ♦ Luster: vitreous ♦ Moh's hardness: 5.5-6.5 ♦ Fracture conchoidal to uneven ♦ Color: light brownish red, flesh red, rose pink ♦ Cleavage: 2 directions are perfect, one direction imperfect ♦ Localities: Worldwide, with notable occurrences in Brazil, Uruguay, Ontario, Mexico, Maine, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Colorado.