Manganite

specimen number:
9302262

location:
Ilfeld, Nordhausen, Thuringia, Germany

description:

Classic German specimen with lustrous black prismatic crystals of manganite to 2.3 cm in length across the front of matrix with bladed crystalline barite. The barite shows some cleaving. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video.

Ilfeld, situated in the southern Harz Mountains of Thuringia, Germany, is historically regarded as the premier global locality for the mineral manganite. Geologically, the deposits are located within the Ilfeld Basin, where hydrothermal veins containing manganese oxides formed during the Permian period within volcanic rocks such as porphyrite and melaphyre. The manganite from this district is celebrated for its exceptional crystal quality, typically occurring as sharp, deeply striated, prismatic crystals that are metallic black to dark steel-gray in color. These crystals often form spectacular, sub-parallel bundles or radiating groups that exhibit a sub-metallic luster and an opaque appearance. Historically, mining for manganese in the Ilfeld area peaked during the late 18th and 19th centuries, particularly at mines like the Glueckauf and Braunstein. While industrial production has long since ceased, Ilfeld manganite remains the international benchmark for the species, with antique specimens from these classic German mines residing in almost every major mineralogical museum in the world.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.