Geographic Minerals

Psilomelane (Formula, Occurrence)

Psilomelane (Formula, Occurrence)

A collective name for hard black manganese oxides, including hollandite and romanechite, is Psilomelane, Barium, and manganese hydrous oxide, BaMnMn8O16(OH)4. It is an important manganese ore mineral. Barium manganese hydroxides that do not form in visible crystals are described by Psilomelane. Psilomelane, originally known as an independent mineral species, was debunked in 1982 by the IMA. It consists of manganese oxide hydrous with varying concentrations of potassium and barium. Despite not being related to true hematite, which is an iron oxide, psilomelane is incorrectly, and uncommonly, classified as black hematite.

With Pyrolusite, with alternating layers of light and dark gray lines, Psilomelane can be banded. It is called “psilos” after the Green words, meaning smooth, and “melas”, meaning black. Psilomelane used to be known as the Silver Crown, too. It is possible to describe the generalized formula as Ba(Mn2+)(Mn4+)8O16(OH)4 or as (Ba,H2O)2Mn5O10. It is often considered, although of dubious composition, to be a hydrous manganese manganate. 70-80 percent of manganous oxide with 10-15 percent of usable oxygen correlates to the amount of manganese present.

Psilomelane mineral

Such mixtures of manganese oxide may form large deposits and may occur in deposits and clays of lakes or swamp beds; they have been found in Germany, France, Belgium, Scotland, Sweden, India, and the United States. In individual crystals, psilomelane does not occur; habits include botrioidal, mammary, reniform, stalactitic, dendritic, arborescent, encrusting, massive, and earthy. It has no definite chemical composition and occurs with a smooth shiny surface and submetallic luster as botryoidal and stalactitic masses. The mineral is easily differentiated by its greater hardness of 5 to 6 from other hydrous manganese oxides (manganite and wad); the specific gravity ranges from 3.7 to 4.7.

Many lung disorders, including pneumonia, may be treated with psilomelane. Its healing powers can clear the walls of the lungs and encourage their safe functions. It may assist in the treatment of inflammation of the skin. It can also facilitate the conversion of carbohydrates and aid with the regulation of insulin. It is an ore of manganese; as a collector’s species and as a minor gemstone, the banded type combined with Pyrolusite is often polished. The black streak is brownish, and the fracture is smooth. Admixed impurities, such as iron hydroxides, are also found in the mineral. With the evolution of chlorine gas, it is soluble in hydrochloric acid.

Psilomelane is a good cleaning stone that can increase the filtration of the body and the removal of toxins in the organs. Psilomelaneenergies can rebuild the cellular body, as well as the skeletal body, with a restorative nature. It is also believed to relieve the body’s pains and discomfort. It is often known that this stone protects the body against infections. It can assist with blood flow regulation and the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.

 

Information Sources:

  1. minerals.net
  2. britannica.com
  3. crystalsandjewelry.com
  4. wikipedia