Manganese inosilicate with a distinctive pink color, often veined with black manganese oxide. Used as an ornamental stone. Color: Pink to rose-red, often with black veining. Luster: Vitreous to pearly. Streak: White. Cleavage: Perfect in two directions at 92°. Hardness: 5.5-6.5. Transparency: Translucent to opaque. Crystal system: Triclinic. Chemical formula: MnSiO₃. Specific gravity: 3.4-3.7. Formation: Forms by contact or regional metamorphism of manganese-rich sediments and ores. Common geological settings: Australia, Brazil, Russia Urals , Sweden; found in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks. Common look-alikes and related entries: Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz, Thulite.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:36.073892+00:00
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Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Manganese inosilicate with a distinctive pink color, often veined with black manganese oxide. Used as an ornamental stone.
How can you identify Rhodonite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Pink to rose-red, often with black veining; lustre: Vitreous to pearly; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 5.5-6.5; cleavage: Perfect in two directions at 92°; crystal system: Triclinic; transparency: Translucent to opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Rhodonite form?
Forms by contact or regional metamorphism of manganese-rich sediments and ores.
Where is Rhodonite commonly found?
Australia, Brazil, Russia Urals , Sweden; found in manganese-rich metamorphic rocks.
What is Rhodonite commonly confused with?
Rhodonite may be confused with Rhodochrosite, Rose Quartz, Thulite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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