Amphiboles (silicates): Rhodonite
Diagnostic card.
On the picture. Tabular crystals of rhodonite from New Jersey (USA).
Ca Mn 4 Si 5 O 15
Triclinic syngene
Hardness | 5.5-6.5 |
Specific weight 3,4-3,73
Cleavage is perfect
Crack irregular
Color pink, brown
Color in powder white
Glitter glass
The name, like rhodochrosite, was obtained in color. Black dendrites, forming a picture of a stone, are composed of manganese oxides. Differences with a strong brownish or yellow hue are called faulerite.
The crystals of this mineral are usually tabular with rounded peaks, as well as scaly or almost lamellar. Cleavage is perfect. More often, rhodonite is represented as a mass of granular or dense build. The color is pink, quite intense, often light brown due to surface changes or with black spots of manganese oxides, for example, pyrolusite.
Rhodonite is transparent or translucent, gloss is glass, on the surfaces of cleavage is pearly. The hardness is moderate, the mineral is heavy, easily separated by cleavage almost at right angles.
Chemical composition. Manganese oxide (MnO) 30-46%, ferrous oxide (FeO) 2-12%, calcium oxide (CaO) 4-6.5%, silica (SiO2) 45-48%. Form of crystalline precipitates. Crystals are usually poorly formed, more often the mineral is represented by dense draining or fine-grained masses. Class of symmetry. Pinacoid - 1. Cleavage. It is not completely perfect by (110), (110). Aggregates. Dense, draining.
Diagnostic signs.
It does not lend itself to acids, it melts quite easily, giving a glassy mass of red or brown color. The name of the mineral was derived from the Greek word "Rhodos" - rose or pink. The chemical composition of rhodonite includes a large percentage of manganese, which gives this mineral a peculiar color. In oxidizing flames, manganese is oxidized and the mineral is browning, turning black. Behavior in acids. Slowly dissolves in hydrochloric acid.
Origin.
Rhodonite is found in association with other minerals in various manganese deposits. Most often, it is formed during the metamorphism of manganese-bearing carbonate rocks with an admixture of silica.
Place of Birth.
Among the many locations that supply or supply excellent specimens of rhodonite, we note Longban and Paysberg in Sweden, Franklin-Fjernes (New Jersey) and Butte (Montana) in the USA; Broken Hill in Australia. The best samples of jewelry quality come from Tanzania and Canada. In the middle of the XIX century. This beautiful stone was widely used in Russian stone carving art. Developed deposits in the Urals, as well as in Sweden (Vermland), Australia (transparent variety), the USA (Vancouver Island), Canada, India, Madagascar, Mexico and South Africa.
Application in jewelry.
Rodonite is used in jewelry business with a cut into the cabochon or sphere. It also makes intaglios for necklaces, bracelets, figurines and other art items. It is used as a decorative ornamental and jewelry stone - for making beads, cabochons and stone art objects, sometimes - for interior decoration. It can be confused with rhodochrosite and tulite.
Rhodonite. San Marin Mine, Cheururu. Peru.
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** - poisonous stones and minerals (mandatory check in the chemical laboratory + explicit indication of toxicity)
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Catalog of minerals and semi-precious stones of the world by groups
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