Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a magnanese silicite mineral known for its resemblence to a rose flower with its beautiful rosey pinks and reds with its black dendritic tree like patterns made from manganese oxide. Rhodonite forms in manganese rich sedimentary rock is subjected to high heat and pressure and can be found in countries like Australia, Brazil, Russia and USA with it being Russia’s national stone. Because of their inclusions it can be hard to find eye clean gems but also means some specimens can experience chatoyancy also known as cats eye where light reflects off small fibrous inclusions making it look like a cats eye moving side to side as you turn the gem. Because these rare gems resemble a rose they also carry the loving romantic gesture as a rose

Hardness: 5.5 – 6
Composition: (Mg, Fe, Mg, Ca)SiO₃