Scientific Name: Manganese silicate
Group: Silicates – inosilicates
Chemical composition: (Mn, Ca)5(SiO15)
Colors: Pink to rose-red with black and/or white intrusions
Hardness: 6
Formation: Triclinic
Principal Sources: Brazil, Canada, Sweden, Russia, Sweden, England, US.
Special Notes: Rhodonite is often confused with rhodocrosite, but can be easily distinguished by the presence of black markings. It has been used in India as manganese ore. Rhodonite is the official gem of Massachusetts, USA.