Manganite on Quartz (circa 1880s)

Item Description

Manganite on massive vuggy quartz is rare from historic Ilfeld, as are discrete crystals of manganite on matrix. This very showy and excellent old-timer is highlighted by the lustrous, 2.5 cm, crystal. The 1.5 cm needle manganite is also noteworthy. The quartz is gray from included manganese oxides and the miners called this hard, gray vein material Mangankiesel (manganiferous flint) (Zincken, 1825). These old pieces came out in about 1865-1890 (per the excellent November-December, 2010 Ilfeld article in The Mineralogical Record). Rare and choice combination material valued at $1250.