Rhodonite Small Raw FormRaw rhodonite in hand is an argument in colorrose against black, unresolved, still in process. Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate whose rose red color traces directly to manganese in the crystal lattice, while the black veining through each piece is manganese oxide, a secondary product of the same chemistry. Raw forms preserve the natural crystal faces and fracture surfaces that a polished piece removes. Mohs hardness 5. 56. Named for the Greek