Rhodonite
RhodoniteJewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A rose-pink stone, usually veined with black manganese oxide, cut as cabochons and beads. IGS rates its wearability outright POOR — a rare thing for a stone this widely sold — so treat any rhodonite ring as an occasional piece rather than an everyday one.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 5½–6½ [1] | — |
| Specific gravity | 3.57–3.76 [2] | — |
| Chemical formula | (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg,Ca)SiO3 [2] | — |
| Crystal system | Triclinic [1] | — |
| Common treatments | Dyeing, per IGS. [1] | — |
| Suitability for daily wear | POOR, in IGS’s own rating. That is the single most useful fact on this page: the hardness of 5½–6½ sounds acceptable, but rhodonite’s cleavage and the black veining make it prone to breaking along a line rather than simply scratching. [1] | — |
| Care cautions | If it has been dyed, keep it away from acetone, alcohol and prolonged sunlight. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners in all cases. [1] | — |
Sources
- International Gem Society — gemstone articles — International Gem Society (IGS, gemstone information articles (gemsociety.org))
- Handbook of Mineralogy — Mineral Data Publishing / Mineralogical Society of America (Handbook of Mineralogy, Mineral Data Publishing)