Geology/History
Rhodonite is a member of the pyroxenoid mineral group & is a manganese inosilicate. Commonly occurring as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red colour. Rhodonite can turn brown due to surface oxidation. The name Rhodonite is derived from the Greek rhodos (ῥόδος) meaning rosy.
Rhodonite crystals are rare & often have a thick tabular habit. The manganese responsible for Rhodonites colour is often partly replaced by iron, magnesium, calcium & sometimes zinc. A greyish-brown variety containing as much as 20% of calcium oxide is called Bustamite. Fowlerite is a zinciferous variety containing 7% of zinc oxide.

Metaphysical Meaning
Nurtures, supports & encourages love. Brings understanding, acceptance & direction.
Said to be a first aid stone reducing emotional shock & trauma. Clears away emotional wounds & scars from the past. Releases resentment & anger encouraging forgiveness so destructive emotions no longer cause dis-ease. Cleans the emotional body & auric field. Provides strength & positivity stimulating the will to live.

Crystal Healing
Resonates with heart chakra. Assists anxiety & stress. Excellent wound healer reduces scarring. Promotes bone growth, good for arthritis, autoimmune disease & M.S.

Minerology
Group: Inosilicate Pyroxenoid
Crystal System: Triclinic 1 pinacoidal
Composition: (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg,Ca)SiO3
Form/Habit: Tabular crystals, massive, granular
Hardness: 5.5-6.5
Cleavage: Perfect on {110} and {110}, (110) ^ (110) = 92.5°; good on {001}
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Lustre: Vitreous to pearly
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.57-3.76
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
R.I: nα = 1.711 - 1.738 nβ = 1.714 - 1.741 nγ = 1.724 - 1.751
Colour: Rose-pink to brownish red, gray, or yellow
Birefringence: δ = 0.013
Pleochroism: Weak
Causes of Colour: Manganese