*** All information about the metaphysical properties of the listings on this site is for reference only and is to be understood in this context. It is based on research of opinions and beliefs from different cultures today and throughout history and my own personal beliefs.The information is not to be taken as a replacement for a medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice, please consult a healthcare professional. ***

This piece weighs 8g and measures 4cm x 1cm x 1cm.

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This material is Botryoidal Lithiophorite/Cryptomelane, (wad), from the Iron Monarch Open Cut, Iron Knob, South Australia, Australia. This material is from a small occurrence located in the 1990’s. The Botryoidal fingers are very interesting and not surprisingly, (due to their composition) are quite heavy for their size.

In the field or at a mine site, it is virtually impossible to look at a dense, black manganese aggregate and definitively say exactly which mineral it is without a laboratory test. Geologists use "wad" as a convenient term to label unidentified brown iron oxides.

Because they exist together as a complex matrix at this locality to definitely prove which portions are Lithiophorite vs. Cryptomelane is via analytical means (like checking for aluminum/lithium vs. potassium), or X-ray diffraction spectra.

The Iron Knob Township was built for the developing Iron Knob and Iron Monarch Mines during the early 1900s. The township of Iron Knob sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the iron and steel industry in Australia. Mining had commenced in 1900 and the rich Iron and Magnetite ore, was allowing the B.H.P. Co. to begin diversifying, just at a time when it seemed the Broken Hill Mines, the Company's main source of income, was beginning to wane.

By the end of 1901 a railcar system had been completed to Hummock Hill, now known as Whyalla. Allowing the ore to be carted to port and then shipped across the Spencer Gulf to Port Pirie for smelting. By the mid 1930s B.H.P. had either begun mining or pegged leases at, Iron Baron, Iron Queen, Iron Prince, Iron Duke, Iron Knight and Iron Duchess, all to the south of Iron Knob.

Over the years, other mines stretching a total of some 62 kilometres from Iron Knob to the Iron Duke Mine in the south were opened or pegged. As well as those already mentioned, the Iron Princess, Iron Chieftain, Iron Count and Iron Cavalier.

North and South variants of the Baron, Knight and Queen Mines have also been named.

Lithiophorite:-

Lithiophorite is an oxide of Manganese, Aluminium and Lithium, (the latter does not seem to be an essential component). It is an essential constituent of "wad" or "psilomelanes", these black oxides which stain the fingers that we encounter in the supergene oxidation zone of Manganese deposits, various manganiferous hydrothermal deposits (gold, lead, silver ...), sometimes Banded Iron Formations and certain Phosphate Pegmatites.

Lithiophorite is also a major component of certain lateritic soils. In its deposits, it is associated with numerous other Manganese oxides (Cryptmelane, Braunite etc...) and its rigorous identification requires the use of X-Ray diffraction spectra Its name derives from its chemical composition (lithium) and Greek pherein (to show). Lithiophorite very rarely occurs in hexagonal crystals ; it rather forms finely grained botryoidal masses, in scales or dendites, from a bluish black to a matt black. It is locally an important Manganese Ore.

Cryptomelane:-

From the Greek for hidden and black, because this mineral was difficult to identify among the other Manganese Oxides, which are  also black. Cryptomelane is one of the manganiferous products designated under the generic name Psilomelane. This is “Psilomelane potassium”, potassium can be very partially replaced by other elements, notably Thallium. It is found in the superficial parts of rocks and manganiferous deposits. Its name is derived from the Greek kruptos (hidden) and melanos(black) because this mineral was difficult to identify among the other Manganese oxides, also black. Cryptomelane usually occurs in earthy or compact masses, steel gray blue to black, staining the fingers. Like most Cryptocrystalline Manganese minerals, it tends to evolve into well-crystallized species (Pyrolusite and Magnetite).