Rhodonite - a standard favorite

Rhodonite is yet another of my favorite gemstones, especially when it has good color and is cut well. It's very feminine and versatile. I just get a good feeling from it.

The name rhodonite comes from the Greek for "rose". Rhodonite is pink to red in color and has black veins of manganese oxide. It also can be found in brown-red, mauve, and sometimes has green and yellow tinges.

Most rhodonite is opaque. The crystals are translucent. It was once classified as pink turquoise. In 18th century Russia it was used exclusively by the Russian court. It was often given as a gift during royal czarist weddings.

Rhodonite a fairly common stone, and is mined in several locations, including the Ural mountains in Russia, Australia, Brazil and many other locations in the world including Massachusetts and New Jersey. Rhodonite is the state gem of Massachusetts and the national gem of Russia.

Rhodonite is a stone of grace and elegance. It is a calming stone, a good stone for stress and anxiety and for obtaining mental balance and clarity. It helps self esteem and confidence and opens the heart chakra to unconditional love. On the physical level it is helpful for the skeletal system.

The hardness on the Mohs scale 5.5-6.5 with 10 being the hardest.Rhodonite is associated with the heart and root chakras.