6557 - Larsenite

At-A-Glance

Country of Origin

NJ
United States

Photos

Essential Information

Specimen ID

6557

Mineral Name

Larsenite

Chemical Formula

PbZnSiO4

Subcollection

Franklin and Sterling Hill Suite
Associated Minerals
Barysilite
Esperite
Hodgkinsonite
Clinohedrite
Specimen Number
F177

2/379b

One of the key specimens in this collection, scientifically quite significant. Specimen consists of massive hardystonite partly altered to esperite and clinohedrite on a fracture surface. The clinohedrite forms a crystal druse. A shallow vug in the center of the face contains lavender-colored, curved plates of barysilite. The barysilite plates are unusually richly colored and abundant. In the lower right corner of the face (specimen oriented with arrow pointing up), adjacent to the patch of clinohedrite. are small, acicular, nonfluorescent, colorless crystals, of probable larsenite. Also on the fracture face associated with the larsenite is a pink, nonfluorescent, fine-grained mineral that is probably hodgkinsonite. Take care when handling – the microminerals are easily damaged. This is one of the rarest of the Franklin lead-silicate assemblages. Few specimens are known, and this is a fine one.

Geographic Origin

Locality Nickname

Franklin, New Jersey

Locality Lat/Long

41.1220409, -74.5804378

Mining District

Franklin Mining District

Mine Name

Franklin Mine