Chlorophoenicite is a rare zinc-arsenic mineral best known for its association with the famous Franklin mining district in New Jersey. It typically forms as prismatic to acicular crystals or radial sprays in shades of pink, and it is highly prized by collectors for its distinctive fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrare

Chlorophoenicite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this chlorophoenicite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch chlorophoenicite with a known reference. Chlorophoenicite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: grayish green, purplish red.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial sprays, fibrous aggregates.

Often confused with

Chlorophoenicite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages on Chlorophoenicite and dull to silky on Sterlinghillite.

Often found alongside chlorophoenicite

Minerals reported to co-occur with chlorophoenicite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Mn₃Zn₂(OH)₆As[O₃(OH)₃]
Mohs hardness: 3.5
Density: 3.46-3.53 g/cm³
Colors: Grayish greenPurplish red
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Prismatic crystals, radial sprays, fibrous aggregates
Cleavage: Good on {100}
Fluorescence: Bright white/yellow under SW UV
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Along secondary cracks through franklinite ores in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody

Where rockhounds find chlorophoenicite

Classic worldwide localities

Franklin and Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Along secondary cracks through franklinite ores in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody. If you start seeing leucophoenicite, hodgkinsonite, hetaerolite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, radial sprays, fibrous aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chlorophoenicite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous, silky, pearly on cleavages. The streak is white. Common colors include grayish green, purplish red.

Where is chlorophoenicite found?+

Notable localities include Franklin and Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA.

Is chlorophoenicite safe to handle?+

Chlorophoenicite contains arsenic and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, a toxic element. Handle with care, wash hands after touching, and avoid inhalation of dust or ingestion.

What rocks look like chlorophoenicite?+

Chlorophoenicite is most often confused with Holdenite, Sterlinghillite, Brandtite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chlorophoenicite?+

Chlorophoenicite commonly co-occurs with Leucophoenicite, Hodgkinsonite, Hetaerolite, Tephroite, Gageite, Chlorophoenicite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chlorophoenicite form in?+

Where it forms: Along secondary cracks through franklinite ores in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chlorophoenicite used for?+

Chlorophoenicite is used in collector.

Find chlorophoenicite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.