Video of Russian Rhodonite

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Russian rhodonite

Rhodonite

Rhodonite is an appealing mineral that is frequently carved and used in jewellery. It is named after the Greek language for rose, rhodon. Its rose-pink tone is identifiable and can simply be confused with rhodochrosite and the uncommon mineral, pyroxmangite, MnSiO3. Rhodochrosite however is streaked with light-colored minerals such as calcite and is reactive to acids. While rhodonite does not respond to acids and is normally associated with dark manganese minerals and pyrite. Pyroxmangite is a little harder to differentiate because the two minerals are intimately related and x-ray studies are normally needed when establish big. Crystals of pyroxmangite are frequently twinned as is not the lawsuit with rhodochrosite crystals. Crystals of rhodonite, while not in almost the same abundance as big rhodonite, are yet establish and distributed on the mineral markets. They go from a few noteworthy localities and are considered classics by collectors.