Madagascan Rhodonite Freeform Palm Stone - 75mm, 262g

Locality - Madagascar 
Size – 75 x 51 x 35mm
Weight – 262g

This rhodonite freeform displays vivid rose pink colour and highly contrasting metallic jet black in mottled, dendritic patterns with a subtly sparkling effect on its surface. It has been beautifully smoothed and polished to a glossy lustre, ideal for holding or as a decor stone.

Rhodonite is a pink to red manganese silicate often found with metallic black manganese oxide veins within it. Its name derives from the Greek 'rhodon', meaning 'rose', in reference to its colouration. It is usually found in massive form in metamorphic rocks and contains significant amounts of iron, magnesium and calcium. Well-formed, transparent crystals of rhodonite are especially rare, most not even exceeding 1g in weight, and are highly sought after by mineral collectors. The opaque variety is popular for use in beads, cabochons and decorative carvings. Sources of gem-quality rhodonite are found in Russia, Australia, Japan, Madagascar, Sweden, Brazil, Peru, New Jersey and in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where it has been named their official state gemstone.