However, this might be just as inaccurate since most specimens of psilomelane are not exclusively romanechite. Some mineral books consider romanechite and psilomelane to be synonyms for the same mineral. O. It therefore differs from psilomelane in density and hardness, both of which are somewhat diminished in the mixture that is psilomelane. Romanechite is an important ore of manganese. Manganese is a strategically valuable metal since it is an essential ingredient in steel and other alloys.
Color is variable from iron-black to bluish black to steel gray.
Luster is submetallic to dull. Transparency crystals are opaque. Crystal System is monoclinic. Crystal Habits include massive, fibrous, botryoidal, columnar, stalactitic, concretionary, powdery and earthy. Cleavage is absent.