About
Rhodonite often has black manganese oxide veins running through a specimen, giving it the distinct appearance of pink with black crisscrossing lines and flower-like formations throughout. These are the forms most commonly used as gemstones, especially in beads and ornamental objects. Large massive specimens of black-streaked Rhodonite is often sliced and polished into slabs for collectors.
For additional information, see the gemstone section on Rhodonite.
Crystal Forms & Aggregates
Striking Features
Environment
Varieties
✓ common · ✗ uncommon
- {%Bustamite%}— Bustamite is often regarded as a calcium-rich variety of Rhodonite, but it is scientifically classified as an individual separate mineral species.
- Fowlerite— Zinc-rich variety of Rhodonite.
- Pajsbergite— Rhodonite from the Harstigen Mine in Pajsbergat, Sweden.
Polymorphs
Uses
Noteworthy Localities
Some of the largest and most classic Rhodonite crystals once came from Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Rough masses can still be found there in the Buckwheat Dump, but the fine crystals are long exhausted. The Sterling Hill Mine in nearby Odgensburg also produced some Rhodonite crystals, but not quite as magnificent as those at Franklin.
Pink crystals similar to those at Franklin are well known from the Harstigen Mine in Pajsbergat, Varmland, Sweden. A classic source of Rhodonite was Malosedel'nikovskoe, Yekaterinbug, in the Ural Mountains of Russia, where massive Rhodonite was mined for its use as an ornamental stone, especially for use in the palaces of the Czars. Two notable Italian occurrences are the Val Graveglia Mine, Reppia; and Civillina Mt., Recoaro Terme. A massive pink Rhodonite comes from Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia.
Other U.S. localities are the Betts Manganese Mine, Plainfield (near Cummington), Hampshire Co., Massachusetts; Cumberland Hill, Providence Co., Rhode Island; and Jail Hill, Haddam, Middlesex Co., Connecticut.
Common Mineral Associations
Distinguishing Similar Minerals
Pyroxmangite - Indistinguishable without complex tests.
Bustamite - Lighter pink color.
Pink Feldspar - Lacks black veins, color not as intense.
Photos
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