Rhodonite Cabochon

Rhodonite is a manganese silicate mineral with an opaque transparency. The manganese is often replaced by iron, magnesium, & calcium, often in significant quantities, making the stone look nearly black with bits of pink pushing through. Rhodonite is an uncommon mineral. It is found in only a few small deposits across the world.

First discovered in 1819 by C.F. Jasche, the crystal is named from the Greek word Rhodon meaning “rosy." However, Rhodonite’s history technically started in Russia. Miners in the Ural Mountains had been digging up large pieces since 1790. Talented Russian carvers created all sorts of magnificent pieces from rhodonite stone, including the sarcophagus of Czar Alexander II’s wife, Maria Alexandrovna.

The locals there called it Orletz, Russian for “eagle stone." The story goes that residents found small rhodonite pieces inside eagle nests, prompting the nickname. It also prompted a local tradition of putting rhodonite in babies’ cribs or gifting it to new parents as a soothing protection stone. It’s no wonder rhodonite is considered the country’s national symbol.

Rhodonite is to be a stone of compassion, an emotional balancer clearing away emotional wounds & scars from the past, & nurturing love. It stimulates, clears, & activates the heart. It encourages forgiveness.