Gem Profile- Rhodonite

by Judy Ellis

Rhodonite

Distinctive and beautiful, the rhodonite gemstone is found all over the world, and is slightly softer than quartz. Rhodonite is the official gem of Massachusetts. Rhodonite is named for its rosy color (from the Greek rhodos, meaning rosy), and it often has light beige and black inclusions.

Rhodonite Facts

Rhodonite gets its name from the Greek word "rhodon," meaning rosy, and its scientific name is manganese inosilicate.

Rhodochrosite, the gem discussed last week, transforms into rhodonite at extremely high temperatures, making rhodonite much harder.

Rhodonite ranks 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and has a specific gravity of 3.5 to 3.7.

Black streaks of manganese oxide run through the stone and become more pronounced when it is brought to the surface.

Like rhodochrosite, rhodonite is very finely grained and often occurs in large masses. It has a glassy appearance and a prism-like structure with nearly perfect right angles.

Rhodonite ranges in color from pink to rose-red, but can also appear brownish or brick-red.

Wire wrapped Rhodonite pendant by Janet Cozzens

Rhodonite History and Sources

Rhodonite is found in several locations, including Franklin, New Jersey. When the town was first founded, residents discovered large, symmetrical rhodonite pieces embedded in calcite, a common white mineral that is often fluorescent, powdery, and easily chipped away.

They also found small, sharply angled rhodonite fragments with an extremely dark hue. Similar pieces have been discovered in Congonhas, Brazil.

Other U.S. rhodonite locations include Plainfield, Massachusetts, and California. Around the world, rhodonite occurs in Minas Gerais, Brazil, as well as in Tanzania, England, Japan, and Siberia.

Russia's Ural Mountains contain large rhodonite masses that are particularly suitable for carving.

Rhodonite Necklace by Beverly Brown

Some of the purest gemstone-quality rhodonite is found in the Broken Hill Mines of New South Wales, Australia.

These rhodonite pieces are embedded in galena, the natural mineral form of lead sulfide, which was once used in pencils before graphite.

Several other minerals are found alongside rhodonite at Broken Hill and can be easily mistaken for it due to similar composition and coloring.

Pyroxmangite is nearly identical to rhodonite but forms at lower temperatures and has a different crystal structure.

Bustamite can also be confused with rhodonite, though about 20% of rhodonite's manganese is replaced with calcium oxide, making bustamite appear more brown than pink.

Rhodonite can be distinguished from these minerals because it does not react with acid and can be fused to brown glass easily.

Rhodonite wrapped in a bracelet with sterling silver wire by Tina Bowersox

Rhodonite in Culture

In jewelry making, rhodonite is most often cut into cabochons and beads for use in earrings and pendants.

Many artisans prefer black-streaked rhodonite over plain pink, as the streaks add extra character and visual interest.

Rhodonite polishes very well in a tumbler, so large pieces are often purchased to polish and use as decorative paperweights.

On rare occasions, rhodonite occurs as transparent to translucent material suitable for faceting into gemstones for collectors.

Gem cutters must handle it with extreme care, as the stone is very fragile.

Rhodonite pendant in sterling silver wire by Jane Duke

Rhodonite was once a highly popular ornamental stone. In the mid-19th century, it was carved into intricate table sets, vases, bowls, and tabletops.

In 1733, rhodonite was used to create the tomb of Alexander II and his wife.

A seven-ton slab of rhodonite and jasper forms the tomb, located in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Rhodonite and sterling silver bead bracelet wrapped with Argentium silver wire by Teresa McMahon

As a healing stone, rhodonite is associated with the heart chakra and is said to bring peace, self-confidence, elegance, gratitude, courtesy and tactfulness, and to help a person to find his or her inner path.

Rhodonite is also said to reduce scarring and heal wounds and insect bites, as well as aiding bone growth.

Rhodonite cabochon wrapped with antique brass wire and hung on a necklace of rhodonite and brass beads by Holly Denny

Resources

Print Resources:

Eyewitness Handbooks' Rocks and Minerals by Chris Pellant, ISBN 1-56458-033-4

Peterson Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals by Frederick H. Pough, ISBN-0-395-91096-X

Smithsonian Rock and Gem by Ronald Louis Bonewitz, ISBN 0-7566-0962-3

Internet Resources:

www.wikipedia.org

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