CHEMISTRY (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Triclinic
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS Rhodonite is most commonly massive but crystals do form with rough rounded edges. The crystals are typically tabular to prismatic
COLOR AND OTHER OPTICAL PROPERTIES Rhodonite is normally pinkish red to brownish red but may be gray or yellowish. Rhodonite quickly produces a dark exterior coating of manganese oxide when exposed to the weather.
HARDNESS 5.5 - 6.5 SPECIFIC GRAVITY 3.5 - 3.8
LUSTER Vitreous to dull STREAK White
BREAKABILITY Rhodonite crystals have well developed prismatic cleavage producing an angle of 92.5o. Its fracture is conchoidal to uneven.
OCCURRENCE Rhodonite is a secondary mineral in manganese deposits.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS Calcite, Willemite, Franklinite, Quartz