Manganite (great old classic) (ex Kay Robertson Collection)

Item Description

A classic display quality example of the world-famous Manganites from the renowned type locality for the species, Ilfeld, Germany. These are not only the most iconic examples of Manganite around, but the locality is completely defunct, and good specimens are rarely offered on the market. These crystals are instantly recognizable with their unique prismatic, striated form and beautiful lustrous exteriors. This piece features excellent quality, sharp, lustrous, jet-black, prismatic crystals of Manganite measuring up to 2.5 cm on massive white Barite matrix with minor semi-metallic black crystals of associated Pyrolusite. I love how the largest Manganite has a slight "curve" to it, similar to what we occasionally see in Tourmaline crystals from various localities. Good quality all around, and a lovely example of this historic and important material from Ilfeld. Ex Kay Robertson Collection (#1005). Kay was a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics. She nearly lived 100 years from April 1920 - March 2020. See the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record ( https://www.mineralogicalrecord.com/pdfs/Kay%20Robertson%20Collection.pdf ), and the 50+ page article in the German Magazine "Mineralien Welt" November-December 2017.