Pyroxmangite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Pyroxmangite is a manganese silicate gemstone discovered in the early 20th century. It’s found in pink, red, or brown hues, often with dark splotches or veining, but it’s prized by collectors when it forms as transparent, deep red crystals.

Is pyroxmangite rare? Pyroxmangite as a mineral isn’t very rare, but faceted pyroxmangites are rare and exotic gemstones. Facetable material is scarce and usually small.

Most mineralogists know pyroxmangite for its close relationship to rhodonite.

Want to know more? Join us as we go over all of the pyroxmangite crystal’s properties, powers, history, prices, and more!

Pictured above: Gemmy, rose-red pyroxmangite crystal thumbnail from Brazil | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Pyroxmangite Stone

Pyroxmangite is a rare semi-precious gemstone found in red, pink, and brown hues.

Sometimes, the term “sobralite” is used as a synonym for pyroxmangite, but sobralite is actually another more complex triclinic pyroxene with the formula CaMgFe2Mn4(SiO3)8.

Although synthetic pyroxmangite isn’t available for gemstone use, it has been created for studying its similarity to rhodonite, which is perhaps the mineral’s best-known quality.

Pyroxmangite vs Rhodonite

Rhodonite is a stone commonly mixed up with pyroxmangite, and for good reason.

Pyroxmangite is a dimorph of rhodonite formed in high-pressure and low-temperature environments. These two stones are incredibly similar and can be found together, making distinguishing the two quite difficult.

In fact, identification of pyroxmangite vs rhodonite requires powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) analysis, electron microprobe, and Raman spectroscopy.

• With the XRPD technique, you can identify pyroxmangite by its seven-silica tetrahedral chain, as rhodonite has a five-silica tetrahedral chain.

• Using an electron microprobe, experts can look at the stone’s chemistry. Most rhodonites have a higher amount of calcium (over 0.05 percent by weight) than pyroxmangite.

• Lastly, using Raman spectroscopy, you’ll know it’s pyroxmangite if you see small bands at 185, 252, and 289 cm–1.

For less precise guesses, pyroxmangite crystals are often twinned, while rhodonite crystals aren’t twinned as often.

Pictured above: Specimen containing rhodonite and pyroxmangite crystals

Pyroxmangite Specifications & Characteristics

The chemical formula for pyroxmangite is Mn2+SiO3 or the general formula of MnSiO3.

Some write the formula as (Mn,Fe)SiO3 to account for common iron impurities. Other common impurities are aluminum, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and water. Similarly, calcium, magnesium, and ferrous iron (Fe2+) often partially substitute for manganese in rhodonite.

Pyroxmangite forms a series with pyroxferroite. Pyroxferroite — formula (Fe,Mn,Ca)SiO3 — has a greater iron content than manganese content.

Looking at crystal habits, pyroxmangite crystals are tabular. Lamellar twinning is common on {010} and simple twinning on {001} is uncommon. The mineral can also occur in granular, grainy, or massive forms.

Here are the pyroxmangite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 5.5-6

• Color: Pale to rose pink, purplish-pink, red, reddish-brown, brown; Often covered in brown or black oxidation products

• Crystal structure: Triclinic

• Luster: Vitreous or pearly

• Transparency: Translucent to transparent

• Refractive index: 1.726-1.764

• Density: 3.61-3.80

• Cleavage: Perfect on {110} & {110} (with bar notation over second 1), (100) ^ (110) (with bar notation over second 1) = 92°; Poor/indistinct on {001} & {010}

• Fracture: Uneven/irregular or hackly

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: None

• Pleochroism: Present but slight - shades of red and pink

• Birefringence: 0.016-0.020

• Dispersion: 0.015 (moderate)

Pictured above: Polished slab of nearly 100 percent pink massive pyroxmangite from Sunnyside mine in Colorado, USA | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Pyroxmangite Meaning & History

Pyroxmangite crystals are metaphysically attached to the heart, symbolizing love, affection, and compassion.

In some folklore, pyroxmangite is associated with Spider Grandmother, a significant figure in Native American mythology and traditions called upon for guidance and healing.

History

American mineralogists William Ebenezer Ford and William Frank Bradley wrote the first description of pyroxmangite in 1913 based on specimens from South Carolina, USA.

They thought it was a manganese-bearing pyroxene, so they named it “pyroxmangite” to reflect this assumption and categorized it as a new member of the pyroxene group.

In 1970, a group of mineralogists wrote the first description of pyroxferroite, a “new calcium-bearing iron silicate” from the Tranquillity Base on the moon. They named it for its similarity to pyroxmangite but with greater iron content.

Once pyroxferroite was known, later analysis of the original “pyroxmangite” material described in 1913 showed that it had greater iron than manganese content, so it was redefined as pyroxferroite.

Much of the literature on pyroxmangite since the 1970s has been on its relationship to rhodonite and similar minerals.

Pyroxmangite Healing Properties

As a popularly pink healing stone, pyroxmangite has the nurturing and loving energies of other pink gemstones.

Physical Healing

Physically, pyroxmangite gemstone benefits are said to include treating issues related to:

• Emphysema

• The heart (e.g. surgeries, heart attack, arrhythmia, blood circulation)

• Pain management

• Itchy bites

• Scars

• Autoimmune diseases

• Ulcers

• Reproductive health

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, pyroxmangite is believed to reduce feelings of anxiety and shame, replacing it with greater self-confidence. Crystal healers recommend pyroxmangite crystals for managing worries or self-doubt in social settings.

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing is the process of opening or balancing one or more of the energy centers (chakras) to relieve negative symptoms associated with an energy blockage.

Pyroxmangite is used as a chakra stone for opening or balancing the heart chakra.

The heart chakra governs love, acceptance, and spirituality. When it’s blocked, you may feel apathetic, shut off from others, or undeserving of love. Once it’s open, you can feel more loved, empathetic, and in touch with your spirituality.

Pictured above: Rare example of old Japanese pyroxmangite crystal material (perhaps late 1800s) from now-depleted mines; Sharp, freestanding specimen with cherry-red crystals; Bill Sanborn collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Pyroxmangite Gemstone Properties

Besides its rarity, pyroxmangite value also depends on its color, cut, clarity, transparency, and carat weight.

Color

Pyroxmangite shows a range of shades from pink to brown, including purplish-pink. These pink hues come from its manganese content, with higher manganese meaning more pink colors. Oxidation often causes patches of dark colors, usually brown or black.

The most valuable specimens have vibrant red, pink, or purplish hues with little to no oxidation products. Faceted pyroxmangite stones are usually deep red.

In thin sections, pyroxmangite can be colorless to pale lilac.

Cut

Pyroxmangite is rarely faceted, partly due to the rarity of facetable material but also due to the difficulty in faceting a stone with mid-range hardness and two perfect cleavage directions. This scarcity makes faceted pyroxmangites quite valuable and sought-after.

The gems that have been faceted often have step cuts like emerald shapes.

You can find pyroxmangite cabochons, often mixed with other minerals like rhodonite. You can also find carved pyroxmangites, like spheres and earring pairs.

Most often, pyroxmangite is available as rough (uncut) specimens.

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a gemstone, which can lower its transparency and value.

Most pyroxmangite has visible oxidation blemishes and dark veining or splotches from altered manganese oxides.

Pyroxmangite is also found as an inclusion in stones like rhodonite and some types of quartz.

Carat Weight & Size

Perhaps unsurprisingly, rare faceted pyroxmangites always found in small sizes, up to 2 carats. Most gem-quality material is only found in small grains. Massive pyroxmangite material can be cut into cabochons or carved.

Tabular pyroxmangite crystals can be found up to 10 cm long.

Pictured above: Vug in matrix filled with gemmy, lustrous, bright cherry-red pyroxmangite crystals from old Japanese Taguchi Mine | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Pyroxmangite Formation & Sources

Pyroxmangite minerals form in manganese-rich rocks and ore deposits that have undergone regional metamorphosis. Based on studies of synthetic pyroxmangite, the stone probably forms under higher pressure and lower temperatures than rhodonite.

Besides rhodonite, which is often intergrown with pyroxmangite, other commonly associated minerals are:

• Spessartine

• Tephroite

• Alleghanyite

• Hausmannite

• Pyrophanite

• Alabandite

• Rhodochrosite

Geographically, where is pyroxmangite found?

Mining Locations

The best sources for gem-quality pyroxmangite material are Brazil, Japan, and Australia.

Other significant pyroxmangite sources include:

• Finland

• Peru

• Scotland

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• UK (Scotland)

• USA (California, Colorado, Idaho)

You know the sources, but how much does pyroxmangite cost?

Pictured above: Huge, translucent-when-backlit, gemmy, red pyroxmangite crystal (likely twinned) from old Japanese locale | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Pyroxmangite Price & Value

Faceted pyroxmangites are hard to find with prices to match: usually about $400 to $1,650 per carat or about $230 to $760 each (remember that many are below 1 carat).

You can find pyroxmangite cabochons (typically mixed with other minerals like rhodonite) for around $50 each.

Carvings range from $50 to $1,350, depending on quality and size.

Most rough pyroxmangite for sale is available as small, light pink specimens, often with dark splotches or veining. These range from $15 to $200 each.

Specimens attached to or mixed with spessartine range from $100 to $900 each. More transparent, individual, red pyroxmangite crystals can be up to $400.

Orange to brown pyroxmangite rough is usually the lowest in price, about $15 to $60 each.

Rough pyroxmangite pendants are available for around $250 to $300.

Pyroxmangite Care and Maintenance

In terms of gemstone care, pyroxmangite’s multiple directions of perfect cleavage mean it’s vulnerable to breaks from sharp blows. It also only has mid-range hardness, so be careful to avoid scratches.

We recommend opting for protective settings on pyroxmangite jewelry.

Avoid mechanical cleaning systems like ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Only clean pyroxmangite with mild soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush.

Pamper Yourself with Pyroxmangite!

Despite its rarity, pyroxmangite can form in fiery red crystals with stunning transparency. Its rarity only adds to its allure, making this gorgeous gem a staple for any collection.

Buy pyroxmangite gemstones today!