The facts
What rhodonite actually is
The species behind rhodonite is manganese silicate, MnSiO₃; it forms in the triclinic system.
Manganese; black veining is manganese oxide is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.716–1.752 and a specific gravity of about 3.40–3.70, with perfect, two directions cleavage.
Where rhodonite comes from
Commercial material comes from Ural Mountains, Russia, New South Wales, Australia, Peru and Madagascar.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
Is rhodonite treated?
None normally.
Nothing needs disclosing, and nothing about the stone can change after you buy it. If a price looks impossible, the risk is substitution rather than treatment.
What rhodonite is confused with
Watch for Rhodochrosite, Thulite and Dyed material — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.716–1.752 and specific gravity 3.40–3.70 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What rhodonite is used for
The trades that buy rhodonite are decorative objects, jewellery and architecture and interiors. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the piece, by the carat or by the square metre.
Durability and care
Rhodonite is 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, with perfect, two directions cleavage.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What rhodonite costs
Expect roughly $0.50–20/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is rhodonite treated?
None normally.
Where does rhodonite come from?
Ural Mountains, Russia, New South Wales, Australia, Peru and Madagascar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is rhodonite hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but perfect, two directions cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does rhodonite cost?
Indicatively $0.50–20/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is rhodonite confused with?
Most often Rhodochrosite, Thulite and Dyed material. A refractive index of 1.716–1.752 and a specific gravity near 3.40–3.70 separate it quickly.
What is rhodonite used for besides jewellery?
decorative objects and architecture and interiors. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for rhodonite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about rhodonite