 |
|
|
Franklinite is named after the locality of Franklin, New Jersey, where it is found. To date, this mineral is found only at Franklin and neighboring Ogdensburg, New Jersey. There are no other localities for Franklinite, but at these two localities it is quite abundant. Large crystals of previous mining eras are no longer found, and are considered classics that are highly sought-after by collectors. Franklinite is usually associated with brilliantly fluorescent Calcite and Willemite, and may also occur with orange Zincite, providing specimens of nice color contrasting.
Franklinite is sometimes classified as a variety of the mineral Magnetite, but it is in fact a distinct mineral species. |
|
|
Chemical Formula |
(Zn,Fe2+)(Fe3+)2O4
This is the chemical formula for pure Franklinite. However, Franklinite usually contains a significant amount of manganese as both the first and second elemental groups, and its chemical formula is therefore also recognized as:
(Zn,Mn2+,Fe2+)(Fe3+,Mn3+)2O4 |
|
Composition |
Zinc iron oxide, usually with a significant amount of manganese |
|
Color |
Black |
|
Streak |
Dark gray to black |
|
Hardness |
5.5 - 6.5 |
|
Crystal System |
Isometric |
|
|
|
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Crystals are usually octahedral. Complex crystals with multiple faces, as well as dodecahedral crystals, are much less common. Most often in small rounded or grainy crystals with distorted faces. Also massive, in dense crystal veins, and in groups of octahedral crystals.
|
|
Transparency |
Opaque |
|
Specific Gravity |
5.0 - 5.2 |
|
Luster |
Metallic |
|
Cleavage |
None. May exhibit parting. |
|
Fracture |
Subconchoidal to uneven |
|
Tenacity |
Brittle |
|
Other ID Marks |
Is paramagnetic, thus is slightly attracted to magnetic fields. |
|
In Group |
Oxides; Multiple Oxides |
|
Striking Features |
Locality, mineral associates, and weak attraction to magnetic fields. |
| Environment |
Only found in the zinc ore zone of the metamorphic marble deposit of Franklin and Ogdensburg, New Jersey.
|
| Rock Type |
Metamorphic |
|
Popularity (1-4)
|
2 |
|
Prevalence (1-3)
|
2 |
|
Demand (1-3) |
2 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Franklinite was a very important ore of zinc, together with the other zinc minerals at the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines. Now, however, those mines are no longer active, so Franklinite is no longer used as an ore of zinc.
Large crystals of Franklinite are popular among collectors.
|
|
The only location where this mineral was ever found was in the zinc ore deposit of the Franklin Mining District, in both Franklin and Ogdensburg (Sterling Hill), Sussex Co., New Jersey.
|
Magnetite - Strongly attracted to magnetic fields.
Spinel - Not attracted to magnetic fields, has a white streak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have a question about Franklinite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
|
|
|
|
Let us know how we can update this page
(Click for more details)
|
|
We strive for accurate content and locality information. If you feel any of the content is incorrect, or if you feel we are missing vital locality information, please fill out the form below so we can update the site. If you are requesting a locality be added, please only include significant locality occurences for the mineral.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
