triclinic Inosilicates
Rhodonite
Formula (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Rhodonite
#! System: Triclinic (-1)
#! Habit: Tabular to prismatic, pink with black manganese oxide veins
triclinic[-1]:{110}@1.0 + {010}@0.8 + {001}@0.6
triclinic
-1
{110} {010} {001}
Quick Facts
Hardness
5.5
Specific Gravity
3.4
Refractive Index
1.711
Optical Character
Biaxial +
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- triclinic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5
- Specific Gravity
- 3.4
- Cleavage
- Perfect prismatic {110}, nearly 90 degrees
- Fracture
- Conchoidal to uneven
- Lustre
- Vitreous to pearly
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.711
- Birefringence
- 0.011-0.014
- Optical Character
- Biaxial +
- Dispersion
- 0.01
- Pleochroism
- Weak (yellowish-red, pinkish-red, pale yellowish-red)
Characteristics
Colours
Rose redPinkBrownish-red (oxidized)
Localities
Australia (New South Wales)Russia (Ural Mountains)PeruSwedenUSA (Massachusetts - state gem)Brazil
Common Inclusions
Black manganese oxide veinsColour zoningFracture networks
Crystal Forms
prismpinacoid
Notes
Rose-red colour from Mn2+; black veining from manganese oxide alteration; official gem of Massachusetts
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the triclinic system
