Rhodonite

Rhodonite, a manganese, iron, and calcium silicate, (Mn,Fe,Ca)SiO₃, in some cases forms the primary source of very important deposits of manganese oxides, such as the manganese ores of India. Rhodonite often has black manganese oxide veins running through a specimen, giving it the distinct appearance of pink with black crisscrossing lines and flower-like formations throughout. These are the forms most commonly used as gemstones, especially in beads an d ornamental objects. Rhodonite gets its color when a mineral is formed in deposits of manganese or ore veins. The presence of manganese in the rhodonite structure causes characteristic color of this stone – mostly, rose-red or brownish red. The stone received its name due to such a color – from the Greek word “rhodon” meaning “rose”.