Legislature in 1979 as the state gem or state gem symbol. Rhodonite varies in hue from a light pink to a deep rose or reddish pink, and is considered the most beautiful gem type of material found in Massachusetts ...
The best known Rhodonite in the world come from the Sverdlovsk district in the Ural Mountains of Russia, however massive deposities of Rhodonite has been found at Plainfield, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Gemrock Rhodonite was recorded from these Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts as early as 1825. In describing Rhodonite from one mine in Cummington, Kunz wrote: "Blocks were taken out weighing some hundreds of pounds each, having a rich pink and red color ... were equal in quality and beauty to the Russian Rhodonite, which is made into vases and also table-tops and mantels."
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There was a time in the 1950's when pink and black were so-to-speak fad colors, especially for men -- e.g., they/we wore pink shirts, black ties, etc. At that time, Rhodonite, with its pink and black colors, was popular for such things as tiepins and large cuff-links.
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Rhodonite is a manganese inosilicate and a member of the pyroxene group of minerals, crystallizing in the triclinic system. 
It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red color, often tending to brown because of surface oxidation. Rhodonite crystals often have a thick tabular habit, but are rare. It has a perfect, prismatic cleavage, almost at right angles. .
It commonly occurs as cleavable to compact masses with a rose-red color, often tending to brown because of surface oxidation. Rhodonite crystals often have a thick tabular habit, but are rare. It has a perfect, prismatic cleavage, almost at right angles. ..
Large pieces of Rhodonite have been carved into vases, plates and objects standing some 20 feet tall or 20-25 feet in diameter. Many can be seen at The Herimatage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. One such bowl was an amazing site to view, carved out of a single block of Rhodonite.
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