RHODN-R-01 Origin: Madagascar Grade: A Dimensions: 05-10g - Approximately 15-25mm 10-20g - Approximately 25-30mm 20-30g - Approximately 30-40mm Origin: Madagascar Grade: A = good Tumbled rhodonite stone from Madagascar Sold individually. Weight choice from 05-10g to 20-30g Patterns and colors may vary from one stone to another Rhodonite is a beautiful mineral belonging to the silicate group and the pyroxenoid family. Its main components are manganese and silicon, with inclusions of iron, magnesium, and calcium. Depending on the elements retained in its composition, rhodonite can have various shades such as gray, brown, or pink. Sometimes this stone is dark red. With a pink-red color, it is translucent, rarely transparent. Its luster is vitreous, pearly, and its cleavage is perfect. Rhodonite forms during the metamorphosis of sedimentary manganese ore deposits. This process gives it this beautiful pink color with natural oxidation of the black manganese dioxide veins due to heavy rains. It has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, giving it a medium hardness. For comparison, diamond has a hardness of 10, the highest hardness on this same scale. This stone is found in the form of prisms or tablets, arranged in granular and massive aggregates. This stone is found in metamorphic rocks or hydrothermal deposits. The pink stone forms by a contact metasomatism reaction, a geological process by which there is a replacement of one mineral by another within the same rock, atom by atom, molecule by molecule. This process thus creates a new variety of mineral. In 1820, this stone was first identified by the German chemist and geologist Friedrich August. Its etymology is linked to the color of the stone and comes from the Greek rhodon meaning rose. This same root is used for another stone, rhodochrosite, a pale pink stone with white patterns. Moreover, rhodonite belongs to the garnet group, while rhodochrosite is a calcite. There are no particular legends or myths associated with rhodonite. During archaeological excavations, amulets or other jewelry made of rhodonite were found, dating back to ancient Greece. It was said that this stone served to protect its wearer from attacks by thugs or severe weather. A symbol of protection and affection, this pink stone was given to loved ones to express feelings of goodwill. In the 19th century, this stone was greatly admired in Russia. For a little history, Tsar Alexander II, Emperor of Russia from 1855 to 1881, became widowed in 1880.