What is Rhodusite?
Rhodusite is a rare magnesium-rich amphibole-group mineral, usually encountered as blue-grey to blue-green fibrous or massive material.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: Mg2(Mg,Fe)3Si8O22(OH)2. Rhodusite has variable amphibole chemistry and fibrous habits. No exact public COD model was selected for this batch, so the page does not display an artificial lattice; identification should rely on locality and analysis. Rhodusite is classified with silicates and has a monoclinic crystal system. Typical hardness is 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 3.0–3.3.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include blue-grey, blue-green, grey, black. The usual fibrous, acicular, massive habit and silky, vitreous lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Rhodusite forms in or is associated with metamorphosed magnesium-rich rocks, hydrothermal alteration zones and amphibole-bearing assemblages. Important documented localities include documented Russian, Central Asian and other specialist mineral localities.
A blue amphibole for specialist collections
Rhodusite is a niche mineral whose value comes from unusual colour, fibrous texture and chemical context. It deserves a careful label rather than a generic blue-stone description.
Collecting and care
Keep fibrous specimens enclosed and avoid cutting, grinding or generating dust. Handle from the matrix and wash hands after display preparation.
