Rhodonite hearts from Peru.

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, meaning "pink". It has a red ground color with black dendrite-like inclusions of manganese(IV) oxide. Transparent varieties are very rare. Traditionally, rhodonite has been attributed with magical powers. They were used to make decorative objects, vases and sarcophagi. In the 16th century, rhodonite was considered a stone of happiness and cheerfulness, it cheered 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, transparent crystals up to 10 cm in size are found at Broken Hill, which form the raw material for faceted stones and weigh only a single carat. Other occurrences are in Japan (Honshu), Indonesia and India. Tanzania (Mwembe), Madagascar, South Africa and Algeria supply beautiful red crystals. Very important deposits in Russia have been mined since the 18th century. The deposits in the Urals are well-known, where rhodonite crystals weighing 40 tons occur. There are smaller sites in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. Rhodonite gemstones are also found in very small numbers in Sweden (Pajsberg and Langban), Spain, to some extent in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Romania and France. Nowadays, ornamental objects made of rhodonite are the pride of numerous museums and treasuries.