QUENSELITE

    Class : Oxides and hydroxides
    Subclass : Hydroxides and hydrates
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : PbMnO2(OH)
    Rarity : Very rare

Quenselite is an extremely rare lead and iron oxide mainly known from the metamorphic iron-manganese deposit of Langban (Sweden). It was named in honor of Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology Percy Dudgeon Quensel of Stockholm University. Quenselite forms small flattened and elongated black tabular crystals, in calcite and baryte veinlets cutting hematite, hausmannite and braunite ore.

Main photo : Quenselite from Langban, Sweden © Stephan Wolfsried

Quenselite in the World

The best crystals are millimetric and come from the Langban deposit (Sweden). However, quenselite is also reported in the Changma kimberlites (Shandong, China), at the Burgin Mine lead mine (Utah), at the La Encantada silver mine (Mexico), at the Mori mine (Japan) and in India.

Quenselite in France

Quenselite is not present in the French underground.

Twinning

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fakes listed for this mineral species.


Hardness : 2.5
Density : 6.84
Fracture : Undetermined
Streak : Dark gray-brown

TP : Translucent to opaque
RI : 2.300
Birefringence : Undetermined
Optical character : Biaxial +
Pleochroism : None
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : Acids

Magnetism : NoneRadioactivity : None