Pyrolusite

Appearance

Pyrolusite is quite a variable looking mineral, although in its acicular crystalline form it is more recognisable – this form looks like a cluster of straight needle-like crystals.

Uses and History

Pyrolusite is mostly used for industrial purposes, largely for the creation of metal alloys such as manganese-bronze. It is also used in the creation of chlorine and can be used to remove the colour from glass during glassmaking.

It is also used as a source of manganese for industrial purposes including steel production and battery manufacturing.

Historically, it was used as a pigment for making green and purple paints.

One of the oldest pigments known to be used by human ancestors was umber, a mix of manganese dioxide and iron oxide.

It is also possible pyrolusite was used by neanderthals for fire making.

Locales

Pyrolusite mostly occurs in a fairly boring massive habit, but more interesting specimens can be found all around the world, including Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the USA.

Excellent budget specimens can be found readily online from Imini mine, Amerzgane Caïdat, Ouarzazate, Morocco.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Pyrolusite is moderately harmful by inhalation (of fumes) or swallowing. It is also a strong oxidiser.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/pyrolusite.pdf
• http://www.webmineral.com/data/Pyrolusite.shtml
• https://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/13610.htm
• https://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=3318