Hardness: 6.00
Refractive Index: 1.71-1.73
Specific Gravity: 3.60
Birthstone:
Astral Stone:
Anniversary Stone:
Origination: Much rhodonite is found on Vancouver Island, Canada, and the Ural Mountains of the former Russia. Other significant sources include Brazil, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Madagascar, Sweden & the United States.
Care & Cleaning: Opaque to translucent rhodonite is considered to be quite durable, while rhodonite crystals are considered fragile, and must be handled with care. To clean, rub lightly with a soft polishing cloth. An optional dab of olive oil will produce a beautiful shine. If necessary, a plain water rinse may also be used. Do not soak.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Rhodonite is a pink to red colored gem that contains black veins of manganese oxide. This unusual combination of pink and black make rhodonite quite easy to distinguish from other gems.
Because of its� black veins, rhodonite was once thought to be pink turquoise. This turned out to be totally inaccurate.
Rhodonite is most commonly found in an opaque form cut en cabochon. It is also sometimes found in lovely beads of pink and red.
Although some rhodonite has been found in its crystal form, this variety is quite rare and seldom (if ever) seen at retail.
Rhodonite first surfaced in the early part of the 19th century.
One domestic source for rhodonite is the state of Massachusetts.
At one time, rhodonite was the international gemstone of the Soviet Union.
Rhodonite is never seen in a colorless state, for it always contains other elements.