Romanèchite - (Ba, H2O)2(Mn4+, Mn3+)5O10
Oxides
Habit: Massive, often botryoidal; also earthy. Iron black to gray in color. Opaque, subMetallic to dull Luster.
Environment: A product of weathering of manganese-bearing oxides, carbonates, silicates and in sedimentary deposits.
Etymology: Named for the locality, Romanèche, Saône-et-Loire, France.
Romanèchite is an ore of manganese. Eight-five to ninety percent of the use of manganese is in the steel industry, small amounts of manganese improve the workability of steel at high temperatures. Another use of manganese is being mixed with aluminum, it decreases the corrosion of aluminum and is used in beverage cans.