Rhodonite Gemstone Symbolism Facts & Meaning: Zodiac, Superstitions, Dreams, and Legends
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Rhodonite Gemstone Facts and History
The captivating Rhodonite Gemstone is known for its rose color with striking dark patterns. The gem is a manganese inosilicate mineral made up of mainly manganese, iron, and calcium elements.
The gem’s distinctive rose color came from manganese cation in its structure. Rhodonite can also form into other colors such as brown, red, yellow, and gray, depending on impurities within the gem. The striking black bands of the gem are formed due to manganese oxide.
The beautiful rose color of the Rhodonite Gemstone can turn brown from oxidation. Besides its beautiful color, the Rhodonite Gemstone displays a pearly luster and can be opaque to transparent.
The gemstone scored 5.5 to 6.5 on the Moh’s hardness scale, making it a durable gem to use in jewelry but soft enough to be used in lapidary works.
Rhodonite Gemstones were first discovered in the Ural mountains of Russia in the 1790s. The Rhodonite deposits were in abundance in the Ural mountains and several tons of the gem were mined.
The pink gem gained significant cultural value during this time and was worked into carvings, ornaments, and jewelry for the Russian Czars and nobles. Slabs of Rhodonite were also used as materials to build Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Russia.
Only in 1819 was the rose-colored gem given its official name of Rhodonite by Christopher Friedrich Jasche. The name Rhodonite came from the Greek word Rhodos which translates to “rose.”
In the Ural mountains, locals called the Rhodonite Gemstone orletz which translates to “Eagle Stone” because eagle nests were often found with pieces of Rhodonite.
The Rhodonite Gemstone was also called Inca Rose, pink marble, Peach Blossom Jade, Hornstone, Ruby Spar, and Vermillion Jade throughout history.
Today, there are several mines of Rhodonite all across the globe. Major sources of Rhodonite can be found in Russia, Canada, the USA, Peru, Sweden, and Australia.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Uses
The Rhodonite Gemstone is used in beautiful carvings by artisans to be used as ornamental stones, decorations, and more. Skilled artisans can carve figurines, sculptures, cabochons, furniture, and more out of the big slabs of Rhodonite stones.
The attractive color and striking dark shade of Rhodonite Gemstones makes it a popular choice for jewelry. Its relative hardness allows it to be worked into rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Huge slabs of Rhodonite Gemstone are also used as interior materials, like interior walls, pillars, or staircases. The most popular use of Rhodonite as an interior material is in St. Isaac’s Cathedral in Russia.
The crystal healing community also loves to use Rhodonite Gemstone, be it raw or in its tumbled form, for their practices like meditation, energy work, and healing practices for the stone’s healing properties.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Spiritual Meaning and Symbolism
The Rhodonite Gemstone is a powerful grounding stone with balancing properties that help with stress and anxiety. It serves as a “first aid stone” for highly emotional periods or traumatic events.
The emotional balance that Rhodonite provides helps with resolving conflict and increases the connection with others.
The Rhodonite greatly symbolizes self-love and also said to help with emotional healing, love in all forms, and compassion.
This love gem has a connection and helps balance the Heart Chakra. This allows for emotional stability and the ability to receive and give love unconditionally, and practice forgiveness, peace, and compassion.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Symbolism of Different Shapes and Forms
The Sunset Rhodonite is a variety of Rhodonite that displays orange and pink hues. It increases self-love and care for oneself.
Madagascar Rhodonite is a type of Rhodonite that is only found in Madagascar. It displays different shades of dark bands within the stone and used as a grounding stone for protection against negative energy.
The Cherry Red Rhodonite is a rare variety of Rhodonite that displays a solid bright red color with no variety of shades. This form of Rhodonite also symbolizes self-love and confidence.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Symbolism in Different Cultures
The Rhodonite Gemstone was proclaimed the official gemstone of the state of Massachusetts in 1979. It is also the official city gem of Nizhny Tagil in Russia.
The locals of the Ural mountains where the Rhodonite Gemstone was first discovered called the gem “orletz” meaning “eagle stone,” associating it with the power of the eagle.
In the Americas, Rhodonite Gemstone is sometimes referred to as inca rose interchangeably with the rhodochrosite gemstone, which is also a rose-colored gem but with white bands.
In the native American nations of Ojibwa and Sioux, the Rhodonite Gemstone is believed to possess healing properties for the spirit, power, intuition, and balance. They also use the stone in their ceremonial practices.
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Rhodonite Gemstone in Combination with other Gems
The Rose Quartz gemstone is a gem that is connected to the Heart Chakra. When combined with the Rhodonite Gemstone, there is a significant increase in the ability to express love and compassion, and heal wounds from relationships.
The Emerald gemstone is a gem for intuition and emotional balance. Combining emerald with Rhodonite will increase growth in different areas of life, promote intuition, and activate psychic abilities.
The Garnet gemstone and Rhodonite Gemstone are a great combination for those wanting to re-ignite their passions. This pairing increases metabolism, energy, and vitality.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Birthstone and Zodiac Sign
The Rhodonite Gemstone is not a traditional gemstone. However, Rhodonite has an affinity for those under the zodiac sign of Taurus. The gem keeps the passion and temper of those with the sign Taurus in check and allows them to mellow down to express love, compassion, and practice self-love.
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Rhodonite Gemstone in Dreams
The Rhodonite Gemstone is an ideal stone for dream interpretation as it helps bring clarity to the murky images of dreams. It is a great crystal gem option for dreamwork to translate the meaning of dreams.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Omens and Superstitions
The Rhodonite Gemstone was often given to travelers as a talisman so they could be protected against danger.
In Russia, locals would notice eagles weave small pieces into their nests so they took on the superstitious practice of placing pieces of Rhodonite in their babies’ cribs so they can grow like an eagle.
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Rhodonite Gemstone Mythology and Folklore
In certain legends, the Rhodonite Gemstone is used to honor the Mesopotamian goddess Nisaba, the goddess of writing and scribes. She has the power to bless those who honor her with the stone of increased creativity in writing to express their love and emotions.
