Rhodonite is a manganese silicate mineral. It owes its name to the Greek word rhodon (rose) because of its pink color. Sometimes it appears coated with black oxides of manganese. It appears together with the variation of pyroxmangite, with which it is often confused, differing only in the way of formation: Associated minerals are calcite, willemite, franklinite, tephroite, grynerite, galena and magnetite. Most common of all is calcite, which can be removed using hydrochloric acid (rhodonite is not attacked by acids). Because of its relatively high hardness, transparency and the beautiful shades of red it presents, it has often been used in jewelry. Its transparent oversized crystals are also sought after by mineral collectors. Responds to many areas of the world. Notable (for color, transparency and crystal size) are in the Ural Mountains (Yekaterinburg region, Russia), Värmland region of Sweden, Devon, England, Romania, Aosta Valley in Italy, Broken Hill region of New South Wales (crystals especially used in jewelry), Japan, New Jersey, North Carolina and Montana in the USA, Minas Gerais, Brazil (also as crystals suitable for jewelry), and Peru. In Greece, it occurs on the islands of Andros ("Petalo" peak) and Paros, in the Kassandra mines (Olympiada mine) and in Kato Nevrokopi (Drama Prefecture). Energy healing properties: Rhodonite helps in dealing with fear that arises in connection with fatalities, personal loss, injuries, violence, acute danger or death. It relieves any excessive, though irrational, attacks of fear, typical signs of which are a need for protection or talking a great deal about present fears, yet without experiencing any relief.
