Pyrolusite

This flattened radial fan of superb Pyrolusite crystals against a bed of micro-crystalline smoky Quartz is a gorgeous miniature from the little-known Taylor mine at Alberta in Baraga County, Michigan.  Pyrolusite is a manganese dioxide mineral and here forms flattened acicular crystals of 1 to 1.7 cm long, grouped in a semi-circular flat radial fan and emanating from an 11 x 6 mm oval of crystalline Pyrolusite forming a hub.  The drusy Quartz coating covers the outer surface of a 1 cm thick Quartz vein backed by a massive manganese-rich matrix.  Pyrolusite often plays second fiddle, but on this specimen takes centre stage, very much hogging the limelight!  Magnificent Pyrolusite crystals from an extremely rare locality and ex. the Josef Clemente (1899-1987) Collection of southern Germany.