Pyrolusite crystals from Hermannstein in Germany – 1 half size flat as unique
This collection includes six specimens with gray-black to metallic-looking Pyrolusite coatings on partly ochre-colored matrix. The crystals are mostly developed as fine needle-like aggregates or matte crusts, with some surfaces showing a subtle metallic sheen. The visual contrast between the dark manganese oxide and the yellow-brown oxidized host rock is especially striking.
Pyrolusite is a common manganese oxide (MnO₂) that typically forms in the oxidation zones of manganese deposits. The Hermannstein site near Wetzlar in Hesse, Germany, was historically significant for manganese mining and is now well known for its secondary manganese minerals. Pyrolusite crystallizes in the tetragonal system but usually occurs as crusty, earthy, or acicular aggregates. This flat offers an authentic glimpse into the typical formation of this mineral from a classic German locality.