CRYPTOMELANE

1" L x 5/8" W x 1 5/8" T (miniature). Spectacular tiny botryoidal clusters on small ribs and spraying outward into small branches. Silvery luster. Aesthetic group. In the upper five from the find. Cryptomelane (potassium manganese oxide) is not an uncommon mineral, but this is the first that has been recorded from the Crystal Peak District. These are also not the common black dusty or massive material but attractive botryoidal drippings. Discovered in the upper portion of a large microcline and smoky quartz pocket named the Big Foot Pocket for the smokies that occurred up to a foot in length.