Manganese dendrites on Limestone (Pellar Coll.)

Item Description

Magnificent, exquisitely detailed fern-like arborescent frond of manganese dendrites (manganese oxides) well-placed on a large sawed slab of famous Upper Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone (about 150 MYBP). The Solnhofen Limestone is world famous for highly detailed fossils, including Archaeopteryx and soft bodies organisms, such as sea jellies. These very artistic pieces were originally sold as Pyrolusite. MINDAT states under Pyrolusite: "NOTE: No valid pyrolusite dendrites are known. Supposed specimens of pyrolusite in dendritic form turn out to be other Mn-oxide species (e.g., minerals of the cryptomelane group, birnessite, nsutite, todorokite, etc.) upon being examined in the proper laboratory setting for characterizing these difficult to identify minerals." This oustanding specimens is from the Ron Pellar Collection. Ron is a well-known California and Arizona collector. The specimen was donated to the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show in 2003. Classic and desirable material.