Just its chemistry gives away its rarity. Rhodizite is remarkable for not only its chemistry but its bright adamantine luster and high degree of hardness. Both these properties lend themselves well to the fashioning of a gemstone. Rhodizite is too rare and generally lacks good color to be used often as a gemstone however. Do not confuse rhodizite for other similar sounding minerals such as the silicate mineral rhodonite , the carbonate mineral rhodochrosite or the silicate mineral rhodesite .
Color is colorless to white or gray and also with pale tints of yellow.
Luster is vitreous to adamantine or silky. Crystals are transparent to translucent. Crystal System is isometric. Crystal Habits include dodecahedral crystals and embedded grains. Cleavage is absent.