Rhodonite
is a pink manganese silicate mineral of variable composition that often contains significant amounts of iron, magnesium, and calcium in the form of black dendritic veins.
This mineral was officially named Rhodonite from the Greek rhodon, meaning “rose,” in 1819. It has also been referred to as Peach Blossom Jade and it is mined in many locations around the world, including Massachusetts, USA, where it was declared the official state gemstone in 1979.
Rhodonite was first discovered in the 1790’s in the Ural Mountains of Russia and was called orletz by the locals, Russian for “the Eagle Stone” because people began to notice eagles in the region often carried small pieces of the stone to their nests. It soon became tradition to place small Rhodonite stones in their babies’ cradles as well. The custom was later extended to giving Rhodonite to travelers as a protective stone.