Manganite (excellent rare locality specimen)

Item Description

A stellar small cabinet sized specimen of Manganite from the Atikokan Area in Ontario. Specimens from this iron deposit (similar to those across the border in nearby Minnesota) are virtually unseen on the market today, and this particular piece is certainly the finest Manganite we've had from Atikokan to offer in the auctions. A semi-spherical group of highly splendent, metallic black bladed crystals of beautiful Manganite measuring up to about 7 mm, have formed a somewhat hollow "shell", with a bit of iron oxide on the interior. The front/display side of the piece is in superb condition with no major damage I can find, and the piece even sits on its own without the aid of a base or clay. For a "black rock", this is a choice display specimen, and excellent for what it is. A highly desirable example of this notably elusive material. The date on the back of the old dealer label says "1992", though it's unclear if this is when the piece was purchased or when it was mined.
Valued $3,000.