Rhodonite

Chakra - Heart

Rhodonite is a beautiful pink-violet stone that takes its name from the Greek word rhodos meaning 'rose'. Identified as late as 1819, it has no folklore associated with it. The stone is often found near silver mines and can vary from delicate pink to light, rosy red, with its trademark black or gold veins running throughout its mineral structure.

Rhodonite's composition includes the metal manganese, which is used in making steel. Manganese is also a trace mineral in the body, needed for ensuring strong bone structure, maintaining the thyroid gland and helping regulate the digestive system. For this reason, rhodonite gem remedies can be helpful to the body if you are not getting enough manganese in your diet from food such as nuts and green leafy vegetables.

History

Rhodonite is a manganese metasilicate mineral that was first discovered in 1819 by C.F. Jasche. It is often confused with the mineral rhodocrosite. Not only is the name similar, being derived from the same Greek word (rhodocrosite comes from rhodos and khros meaning 'rose' and 'colour'), but they are also found in similar colour varieties, in the same area and were identified in the same decade (rhodocrosite was discovered in 1813).

Though rodocrosite was only officially identified in the West in 1913, it is known that the Incas were using the crystal for jewellery as far back as 1,400AD. This is why the stone is also called Inca rose and roseinca.

Uses

Rhodonite is a Heart stone so it is ideal for processing and dispelling emotional pain. It clears away wounds and scars of the past, releasing abusive and self-destructive behaviors, feelings of hatred, anger or resentment, and allows one to see both sides of an issue.
Hold Rhodonite to dispel anxiety and remain centered in challenging situations.
Use Rhodonite to regain equilibrium, both emotionally and physically, after a period of grief or loss, major illness, financial disappointment, heartache or intense unhappiness.
Rhodonite creates an engaging aura and protects against envy and jealousy.
Traditionally used to calm stomach ulcers, Rhodonite is also believed to aid in treatments for auto-immune diseases, soothing inflammation of the joints and arthritis.