Rhodonite hand-cut PALM STONES from Pakistan.

The mineral rhodonite is a manganese iron magnesium calcium silicate with the chemical formula (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg,Ca)SiO3. The mineral belongs to the inosilicates. The name of the mineral rhodonite is derived from the Greek rhodon, which means "pink". It has a red ground color with black dendrite-like inclusions of manganese(IV) oxide. Translucent varieties are very rare. From time immemorial, rhodonite has been ascribed magical powers. It was used to make ornaments, vases and sarcophagi. In the 16th century, rhodonite was considered a stone of happiness and cheerfulness, it brightened the heart, strengthened the mood, strengthened the sense of honor and improved the memory. Rhodonite is found in Alaska, Canada, Brazil (Ouro Preto and Minas Gerais) and Mexico. Very beautiful crystals come from Peru (Huanzala). In Australia, translucent crystals up to 10 cm in size are found at Broken Hill, which form the raw material for faceted stones and which weigh only a single carat. Other occurrences are in Japan (Honshu), Indonesia and India. Tanzania (Mwembe), Madagascar, South Africa and Algeria produce beautiful red crystals. Very important deposits in Russia have been mined since the 18th century. Well-known are the deposits in the Urals, where rhodonite crystals of 40 tons occur. There are smaller sites in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Ukraine. In very small numbers, rhodonite gemstones are also still found in Sweden (Pajsberg and Langban), Spain, to some extent in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania and France. Decorative objects made of rhodonite are today the pride of many museums and treasuries.