Description
A manganese inosilicate mineral formed by either hydrathermal, contact metamorhpic or regional metamorphic processes.
This specimen comes from around Kenilworth in Qld. It is most likely that the surrounding matrix is a marine sediment metamorphosed by intrusion of the North Arm volcanics and/or subsequent regional deformation. The specimen is pink in colour and has been cut on one face.
A member of the pyroxenoid group of minerals. It crystallizes in the triclinic system with tabular and rectangular prismatic cyrstals. It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a pink to rose-red colour.
Although rich in manganese rhodonite is not used for any commercial purpose except for production of non-precious stone jewelery.
Formula: (Mn, Fe, Mg, Ca)SiO3
Cleavage: prismatic, almost at right angles
Hardnes: 5.5–6.5
Specific gravity: 3.4–3.7
Luster: vitreous, less frequently pearly on cleavage surface
Images are examples of specimens only. Size and shape may vary.
Specimens are usually no smaller than 75mm in one dimension.
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