WILLEMITE FRANKLINITE CALCITE 789G

WILLEMITE FRANKLINITE CALCITE 789G

A stunning specimen of WILLEMITE FRANKLINITE CALCITE 789G showing off the brightest fluorescence of all natural minerals – Willemite.  This rare special specimen is short and long wave fluorescent and phosphorescent.   Showing a vein of Willemite on the right of pics.  Willemite (Green) is associated with Zinc ore and Zinc mining. Shown in pics with short wave UV light, in the light of day it looks like a rock with little chunks of grey metal in it.  This specimen is also phosphorescent, like when I take away the SW UV light it still glows for 10 seconds after.  Very cool stuff and this is one of my very favorite rocks.  To view this spectacular specimen you will need a UVC Shortwave Lamp and make sure you wear safety glasses or glasses.  The Metallic looking octahedral crystals of Franklinite are shown well in the daylight pics.  Some minor red Zincite can be seen too.

Location:
Sterling Hill Mine, Franklin, New Jersey, USA.
Dimensions:
7.5cm X 7cm X 7.5cm, 789g.

Willemite: Zn2Sio4, Zinc Silicate.

Willemite is a somewhat rare zinc mineral, but it was found in such great abundance at Franklin New Jersey that it instantly became an important ore of zinc.  The deposit at Franklin, New Jersey is truly unique.  Not only is Willemite found there but other rare minerals are also found there, and some in amazingly large quantities.  Minerals such as Zincite, franklinite (named after the locality), Rhodonite, Greenockite, fluorescent calcite, various zeolites and many other rare and interesting minerals are found at this amazing locality.  The unique mineral assemblage is believed to have come into existence from the metamorphism of formerly oceanic floor, metallic mineral deposits that were oxidized into secondary minerals before metamorphism.  In the case of Willemite the secondary minerals were probably Smithsonite and Hemimorphite.  At other localities for Willemite it is more scarce and forms as a secondary mineral from primary zinc deposits.
Originally named “silicious oxyde of zinc” in 1824 by Lardner Vanuxem and William Hypolitus Keating. Re-named in 1830 by Serve-Dieu Abailard “Armand” Lévy in honor of William I (Willem), King (1813-1840) of the Netherlands, wherein the type locality was located at the time.

Franklinite: Zn2+Fe23+O4, Zinc Iron Manganese Oxide.

Franklinite is one of the minerals found at Franklin, New Jersey, a world famous locality that has produced many formerly unknown and exotic mineral species.  It is found in large enough quantity to serve as a ore of Zinc and Manganese, two important strategic and industrial metals.  It forms octahedral crystals that are typical of the Spinel group of minerals.  Specimens from Franklin often contain the rounded black grains of Franklinite surrounded by white Calcite and/or greenish Willemite with a sprinkling of red Zincite.  Specimens of this exotic and interesting mineral are truly valued by mineral collectors.

The Historical Story of Franklin Mine