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Rhodusite
Rhodusite is inosilicate (sodium amphibole, fibrous), Na₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (magnesioriebeckite). In the hand, it rates 4 to 5 (fibrous aggregate) on the Mohs scale, and it runs denim blue and steel blue. Denim-blue silky stone with hawk's-eye-style chatoyancy, an asbestiform blue amphibole usually sold polished and sealed.
The geology.
Rhodusite carries the formula Na₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (magnesioriebeckite). It belongs to the monoclinic system. The trade files it under inosilicate (sodium amphibole, fibrous).
It sits at 4 to 5 (fibrous aggregate) on the Mohs scale. The surface reads silky, chatoyant. Light behaviour is opaque. Specific gravity runs 3.0 to 3.2. The streak is pale blue-gray. It breaks with fibrous; splintery.
Denim-blue silky stone with hawk's-eye-style chatoyancy, an asbestiform blue amphibole usually sold polished and sealed.
Common cuts are cabochons, polished freeforms or fibrous seams in matrix.
The origins.
Classic sources in Kazakhstan and Siberia (Krasnoyarsk); related blue amphibole rock from Bolivia.
On value, the database notes: mid-range; clean chatoyant cabs are uncommon.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with focus, composure, and articulate self-belief.
Included for completeness. Tradition is worth knowing about, and it is worth keeping separate from the mineralogy.
Spotting the real thing.
Denim-blue silky stone with hawk's-eye-style chatoyancy, an asbestiform blue amphibole usually sold polished and sealed.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Hawk's eye (blue tiger eye) | Hawk's eye is crocidolite armored in quartz, glass-hard; rhodusite is softer unquartzed amphibole |
| Dumortierite | Dumortierite is harder, matte, non-chatoyant |
| Dyed fibrous stones | Dye pools between fibers and swabs off |
At-home tests.
These checks cost nothing. Daylight, a 10x loupe and a little patience are the whole kit for rhodusite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Silky moving band of light |
| Scratch check | Knife scratches it (unlike quartz-bound hawk's eye) |
| By eye | Handle as polished pieces only, fibrous amphibole |
If these checks leave you unsure, that is what appraisers are for. Do not file, heat or soak a piece to find out.
Care & handling.
At 4 to 5 (fibrous aggregate) on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with fibrous; splintery, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Most damage happens during cleaning, not wearing. Avoid steamers, ultrasonic tanks and anything from under the sink.
Asbestiform amphibole, polished sealed pieces are fine to handle, but never cut, sand, or crush it, and skip raw fibrous chunks.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is Na₂(Mg,Fe)₅Si₈O₂₂(OH)₂ (magnesioriebeckite). Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 3.0 to 3.2. Streak: Pale blue-gray. Cleavage and fracture: Fibrous; splintery.
How it reaches the market
Classic sources in Kazakhstan and Siberia (Krasnoyarsk); related blue amphibole rock from Bolivia.
What it gets confused with
Hawk's eye (blue tiger eye): Hawk's eye is crocidolite armored in quartz, glass-hard; rhodusite is softer unquartzed amphibole. Dumortierite: Dumortierite is harder, matte, non-chatoyant. Dyed fibrous stones: Dye pools between fibers and swabs off.
What it is worth
Mid-range; clean chatoyant cabs are uncommon.
One more thing
Rhodusite is essentially hawk's eye that never got its quartz armor, the raw silky fiber bundle itself.
An education-first guide.
There is nothing to buy on this page. Rhodusite is not part of our catalogue, and the guide is here anyway because somebody searching the name deserves a straight answer.
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