In massive form rhodonite is most often rose pink to red with black dendritic veins or patches of manganese oxide running through it though it can also be orange red or brownish red. Eight transparent rhodonite crystals 5 25 mm long recovered from 3 lens 25 26 level of the north mine were prepared and examined. The rare transparent crystals are red or red orange seldom exceed 1 gm in weight and can be cut into excellent gems. A rare form of transparent gemmy rhodonite is occasionally faceted as a gemstone creating a deeply colored beautiful gemstone. High quality transparent rhodonite is often faceted to maximize its luster and reflection of light and may be cut into common gemstone shapes such as pear oval trilliant marquise and emerald.
It primarily occurs in massive or granular habits compact groupings coxcomb aggregates and rarely as transparent crystals in thick tabular form often with rounded edges. Rhodonite is transparent to opaque. Translucent and opaque gems that pick up rhodochrosite and rhodonite are bright pink to red mostly translucent to opaque stones that can show a pick up response. The rare transparent rhodonite from brazil shown below right is as magnetic as red spessartine garnet. However rhodonite remains one of the hardest gemstones to cut due the cleavage and crystal structure of the stone and requires skill and expertise from the cutter.
Gemmy rhodonite grains embedded in galena lead sulfide at this location are distinctive. When used as a gemstone rhodonite is almost always opaque. Gemstones typically exhibit black inclusions that are composed of manganese oxide. Australia produces fine transparent crystals and massive material at broken hill new south wales. Six of the crys tals specimens 4 9 were sliced resulting in 12 sec tions that were polished on both sides for optimal inclusion identification.
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The black inclusions may be absent sparse or dense. When polished rhodonite exhibits a vitreous luster. Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate chain silicate and member of the pyroxenoid group of minerals. This form of rhodonite is relatively soft for a gemstone and being highly valued by mineral collectors it retains its value in its natual form. A manganese inosilicate transparent rhodonite is extremely rare and well cut faceted gems are very highly prized.A manganese inosilicate transparent rhodonite is extremely rare and well cut faceted gems are very highly prized. The black inclusions may be absent sparse or dense. Gemmy rhodonite grains embedded in galena lead sulfide at this location are distinctive. It primarily occurs in massive or granular habits compact groupings coxcomb aggregates and rarely as transparent crystals in thick tabular form often with rounded edges. In massive form rhodonite is most often rose pink to red with black dendritic veins or patches of manganese oxide running through it though it can also be orange red or brownish red.
