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Rhodonite

MNHN N°191.58

visu_191 infos

FROM : Chirucu, Huanzala, Peru
SIZE : 17 x 10.5 cm

general description

This sample measures 17 x 12.5 x 10 cm. The rhodonite is present as very thin pink lammelar crystals, very squeezed and bright.

This sample comes from the mineral deposit of Chiurucu in the Huanzala area in Peru. In 1988, this mineral deposit was a scouting mineral desposit, it has been closed in 1990 due to the lack of mineralization. This deposit could have been forgotten if it did not provide outstanding samples of rhodonite.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

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The Species page

Identity card

SPECIE : Rhodonite

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "ροδον" [rhodon] meaning "pink", in reference to its colour

Species first described in 1783 by Ruprecht, but renamed in 1819 by CF Jasche

Type-locality: Kaiser Franz mine, Schävenholz, Saxony, Germany

CHEMICAL FORMULA : (Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg,Ca) SiO3
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Triclinic
COLOR : Pink, red, pale pink, violet
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Tabular and elongated crystals, aggregates
HARDNESS : 5,5-6,5
DENSITY : 3,726

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Rhodonite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/F.20-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.DK.05

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