Psilomelane
A mixture of two or more distinct mineral species
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About Psilomelane
Colour:
Iron-black
Lustre:
Sub-Metallic, Dull
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
4.7 - 4.72
Name:
From the Greek ψιλός (psilos) "smooth" or "bald", and μέλας (melas) "black" in allusion to the form and colour.
Obsolete group name for hard black Manganese Oxides.
Compare the obsolete wad.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Psilomelane.
Compare the obsolete wad.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Psilomelane.Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3304
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3304:2
Physical Properties of Psilomelane
Sub-Metallic, Dull
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Iron-black
Streak:
Brownish black to black, shiny
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Density:
4.7 - 4.72 g/cm3 (Measured) 0.42 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Synonyms of Psilomelane
Other Language Names for Psilomelane
Varieties of Psilomelane
| Nickel-bearing Psilomelane | A nickel-bearing variety of psilomelane. |
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 43 photos of Psilomelane associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 40 photos of Psilomelane associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 28 photos of Psilomelane associated with Goethite | Fe3+O(OH) |
| 27 photos of Psilomelane associated with Pyrolusite | Mn4+O2 |
| 17 photos of Psilomelane associated with Azurite | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
| 15 photos of Psilomelane associated with Fluorite | CaF2 |
| 13 photos of Psilomelane associated with 'Campylite' | Pb5(AsO4)3Cl |
| 13 photos of Psilomelane associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| 13 photos of Psilomelane associated with Vanadinite | Pb5(VO4)3Cl |
| 12 photos of Psilomelane associated with 'Limonite' |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Psilomelane
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3304.html
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References for Psilomelane
Reference List:
Ramsdell, Lewis S. (1932) An X-ray study of psilomelane and wad. American Mineralogist, 17 (4) 143-149
Vaux, George (1937) X-ray studies on pyrolusite (including polianite) and psilomelane. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 24 (157) 521-526 doi:10.1180/minmag.1937.024.157.02
Mukherjee, Bibhuti (1959) X-ray study of psilomelane and cryptomelane. Mineralogical Magazine and Journal of the Mineralogical Society, 32 (245) 166-171 doi:10.1180/minmag.1959.32.245.08
Localities for Psilomelane
Showing 2,247 localities.
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The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Restormel Royal Iron Mine, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England, UK