Braunite

specimen number:
1052501

location:
Langban, Varmland, Sweden

description:

Lustrous black crystals of braunite measuring to 0.5 cm in size on a calcite matrix. Some contacting present as seen. This still very good for the species from this old classic locality. The specimen comes with a label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the early 20th century.

Langban in Sweden is one of the most famous mineral localities in the world, with mining activity dating back to at least the 17th century and continuing into the early 20th century. The deposit is characterized by metamorphosed manganese and iron rich ores hosted in Precambrian rocks, where complex geological processes and later hydrothermal activity produced an extraordinary diversity of minerals. Mining was carried out primarily for iron and manganese, with extensive underground workings developed over time. Among the important minerals from Langban is braunite, a manganese silicate oxide that occurs as dark brown to black crystals and granular masses within the ore. Braunite formed under high temperature metamorphic conditions and is a key component of the manganese rich assemblages found at this classic locality, which is renowned for its mineralogical complexity and scientific importance.

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