Shown is a reflected light micrograph of a polished, carbon coated rhodonite crystal. The identifying etched label, which is a feature of our standards, is invaluable for navigating in an electron beam instrument. Similar to bustamite, another
manganese rich silicate, also in this standard, bustamite has more manganese, thus providing an opportunity for cross checking composition of Ca Mn silicates. The small amount of material used
reflects the extreme rarity of high quality rhodonite. The name is from the Greek rhodon - a rose, referring to its color.
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