Rhodonite Sphere from Russia

Beautifully polished rhodonite mineral sphere. 

Rhodonite is a relatively rare mineral whose colour can vary from the lightest shade of pink to a deep shade of red that's almost scarlet.

Black markings in rhodonite are common especially in material used for cutting and polishing. 

At some stage during its formation the stone becomes covered with a crust of manganese oxides.  The pink then darkens due to oxidation and eventually turns black.  

Fine grade transparent crystals of rhodonite are extremely rare.  Some of the finest material comes from Broken Hill, Yancowinna County in New South Wales. This area is one of the richest sources of gem-grade rhodonite in the world.

This striking rhodonite sphere is sitting on a polished hematite ring.  These make elegant supports for spheres of most sizes. Although relatively hard hematite is brittle so must be handled carefully.