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Psilomelane
Current inventory: 0 gems
 

Psilomelane

Chemistry:  Ba·(H2O)Mn3+5O10

Discovered about 1747;   IMA status: Discredited by IMA in 1982
Psilomelane was named in 1785 from the Greek words ψιλός (psilos) meaning smooth or bald, and μέλας (melas) meaning black, in allusion to the form and color.

 

Classification

   

   

Mineral Classification:

Oxides

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

4/X.0-0

 

4 : Oxides & Hydroxides
X : Unclassified oxides
0 :

 

 

Crystal Data

   

   

Crystallography:

Monoclinic - Prismatic

Crystal Habit:

Commonly massive, botryoidal, stalactitic and can also be found as earthy crusts or massive.

 

 

Physical Properties

   

 

Cleavage:

None

Fracture:

Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

5.0 - 6.0

Density:

4.40 - 4.72 (g/cm3)

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

 

 

Optical Properties

   

   

Color:

Iron Black, Dark Steel Gray

Transparency:

Opaque

Luster:

Sub-Metallic, Dull

Refractive Index:

NCalc = 2.11 - 2.26

Birefringence:

n/a

Dispersion:

n/a

Pleochroism:

None

 

 

Occurances

   

   

Geological Setting:

Psilomelane is found as a secondary mineral in the oxidized  zone of manganese deposits.

Type Locality:

n/a

Year Discovered:

1747

View mineral photos:

Psilomelane Mineral Photos and Locations

 

 

More Information

   

   

 

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

 

 


Psilomelane is an obsolete group name and g
eneral term for hard, black manganese (Mn) oxide minerals. Romanèchite is the primary constituent of Psilomelane, which is a mixture of minerals. Psilomelane is often layered with gray Pyrolusite creating bands of metallic gray and sub-metallic black. The material from a recent find at the Silver Crown Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico is particularily attractive with dark gray and black bands, swirls and patterns. Psilomelane is similar in appearance to Hematite, except for the swirls and patterns.
 

  
P
silomelane gems for sale:

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