The second most important ornamental stone of the Urals is rhodonite, as the first place belongs to the famous malachite. And its name comes from the Greek "rhodes", which means "pink" or "rose". And it corresponds to the color of this mineral, since rhodonite stones can be pink, scarlet and crimson, sometimes with a gray tint. This color of this mineral is associated with the presence of a large amount of manganese in its composition. But it is not homogeneous. It happens that on one stone there are both bright red, and dark brown-red, and medium-brightness tones. This color depends on the percentage of other minerals in it. That is, the less impurities in it, the more beautiful the rhodonite, the stone, the photo of which is shown below.
Some of these minerals contain streaks of manganese oxides that are black in color. And on a pink background, they form beautiful and complex patterns, and sometimes entire landscapes. Also come across stones that resemble ribbon jasper, they alternate brown, black, pink and gray stripes. The mineral rhodonite is found in nature in small quantities quite often. But there are few large deposits of this mineral. In Russiatwo of these were discovered back in the 18th and 19th centuries. For many years they provided material for the production of rhodonite bowls, vases, floor lamps, obelisks, amulets and other handicrafts. Many of them are now kept in the Hermitage.
For example, rhodonite stones were used to make world-famous floor lamps, whose height is 280 centimeters. And now they decorate the front staircase of the Hermitage. Also in this museum is a no less famous oval vase made of Ural rhodonite. Its height is 85 centimeters, and its diameter is 185 centimeters. And in St. Petersburg, in the Cathedral of Peter and Paul, there is the most precious product made from this stone. This is the sarcophagus of Princess Maria Alexandrovna. A whole block of rhodonite, which weighed 47 tons, went into its manufacture. And after the extra stone was removed, a sarcophagus weighing 7 tons remained.
There is also an opinion that rhodonite stones have some mystical properties. For example, according to magicians and psychics, this mineral is able to awaken in a desperate person the desire to live, encourage him and direct him on the path of creation. Therefore, they use balls made from rhodonite during their meditations. And in Europe, other properties are attributed to this stone. They believe that he is able to awaken secret, hidden talents in a person, as well as develop them and help him achieve fame and glory. In the east, it is believed that rhodonite stones awaken love, where this stone is compared with mercy and compassion. And the person who owns itbegins to treat others softer, becomes joyful and cheerful. Rhodonite is considered to be a wise gem that teaches you to embrace life with gratitude. A successful talisman will be a bracelet made from it. Wearing it on your left hand, you can enhance your memory, concentration and constantly receive additional energy. Also, rhodonite is a talisman of creative individuals and young people who strive for victories.
