Scientific Name: Manganese silicate
Group: Silicates – inosilicates
Chemical composition: (mn,Ca)5(Si5O15)
Colors: Pink to rose-red
Hardness: 6
Formation: Triclinic crystal; tabular form; perfect cleavage; conchoidal to uneven fracture; vitreous luster; translucent
Principal Sources: Brazil; Canada; Sweden; Russia; England; USA
Special Notes: Medium-grade rhodonite is a popular material for tumble-polishing, and is widely sold.