Ramsdellite (classic material)

Item Description

Ramsdellite is a fairly uncommon manganese oxide species. It is the orthorhombic dimorph of Pyrolusite. The listing for Ramsdellite mindat.org states that the species, "forms by inversion of Pyrolusite or oxidative dehydrogenation of Groutite". Ramsdellite is really only found in a few places in the world in superb crystallized examples, with the finest pieces coming from Lake Valley, New Mexico, which is the type locality. This is a classic specimen of Ramsdellite from Lake Valley and was almost certainly collected by Dick Jones, according to his son Roy, who said that Dick found the original material, and collected the best examples of the species at the type locality. What really stands out about this particular piece is that it's not a muddled mass, but rather a fine display specimen featuring sharp, softly lustrous orthorhombic prismatic crystals sitting atop a massive manganese oxide matrix. The central portion of the crystals is in good shape, but there is roughness along the periphery where it was removed from the pocket. The luster is almost chatoyant, as it seems to shift directionally when the piece is rotated in the light. The largest crystal measures 5 mm.