Rhodonite
is an attractive mineral that is often carved and used in jewelry. It
is named after the Greek word for rose, rhodon. Its rose-pink color
is distinctive and can only be confused with rhodochrosite and the rare
mineral, pyroxmangite, MnSiO3. Rhodochrosite however is streaked with
white minerals such as calcite and is reactive to acids. While rhodonite
does not react to acids and is usually associated with black manganese
minerals and pyrite. Pyroxmangite is a little harder to distinguish
because the two minerals are closely related and x-ray studies are usually
needed when found massive. Crystals of pyroxmangite are often twinned
as is not the case with rhodochrosite crystals. Crystals of rhodonite,
while not in nearly the same abundance as massive rhodonite, are still
found and distributed on the mineral markets. They come from a few notable
localities and are considered classics by collectors. 
Rhodonite
transforms and stabilizes your emotions. It soothes and brings order
to feelings that are scattered, imbalanced, or ungrounded. Through its
steady upliftment, Rhodonite gradually transforms your emotional foundation,
making it more solid, healthy, and secure. At the same time, it uplifts
your physical body by slowly and gently raising the quality of its energy.
Rhodonite broadens your perspective and deepens your understanding of
your emotions, helping you become more balanced, mature, and strong.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is typically pink to red or orange and even black.
Luster is vitreous to dull to pearly on polished surfaces.
Transparency: Crystals are generally translucent and rarely transparent.
Crystal System is triclinic; bar 1
Crystal Habits include crystals that have a blocky prismatic habit,
however crystals are rare. More typically massive, coarse and fine granular
aggregates.
Cleavage is perfect in two directions forming prisms with a rectangular
cross-section.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5.5 - 6.5.
Specific Gravity is approximately 3.4 - 3.7+ (above average for translucent
minerals)
Streak is white.
Associated Minerals are calcite, pyrite, microcline, spessartine, pyroxmangite
and other manganese minerals.
Other Characteristics: May tarnish to a brown or black color upon exposure.
Notable Occurrences include Ural Mountains, Russia; Broken Hill, Australia;
Langban, Sweden, Menas Gerais, Brazil and Massachusetts and Franklin,
New Jersey, USA.
Best Field Indicators are color, black inclusions, lack of reaction
to acid and hardness.
