Although pyroxmangites can show stunning transparent red colors, from reddish brown to purplish pink, these rare gems have perfect cleavage in two directions. This makes them difficult for faceters to cut and means they have great susceptibility to fracture from blows, thus, you’ll rarely see them used as jewelry stones.
Pyroxmangite forms a series with pyroxferroite. In pyroxferroites, the iron (Fe) content exceeds the manganese (Mn) content. (The pyroxmangite type material from South Carolina later proved to be pyroxferroite).
Pyroxmangites are also polymorphous with the popular gem material known as rhodonite, sharing the same chemical structure. Sometimes, they occur together.
Pyroxmangite and rhodonite (pale pink) with todorokite (black), Serrana mine, Priorat (Catalonia). Photo by Darth vader 92. Licensed under CC By-SA 4.0.
Honshu, Japan and Brazil have produced gemmy material. Other notable sources include the following:
United States: Kern County, California; Colorado; Boise, Idaho (pale pink material).
Australia: Broken Hill, New South Wales (in fine crystals and grains, with rhodonite).
Finland (brown); Peru; Spain; Sweden (red-brown); Scotland, United Kingdom.
Stone Sizes
Any faceted pyroxmangites are always small, since the material is extremely scarce and available only as small transparent grains, but faceters can cut large cabochons from cleavages and massive materials. Collectors should expect to see stones up to about 2 carats.
Care
Due to their cleavage, don’t clean pyroxmangites with mechanical systems such as ultrasonic or steam. Clean these gems only with a warm damp cloth, mild detergent, and soft brush. For more care recommendations, consult our gemstone jewelry cleaning guide.