Hodgkinsonite is a rare silicate mineral primarily known from the unique zinc ore deposits of the Franklin Mining District. It is highly sought after by fluorescent mineral collectors due to its vivid orange-red reaction under shortwave UV light. Collectors should look for transparent pink to reddish prisms often associated with other rare zinc-manganese minerals.
Is this hodgkinsonite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch hodgkinsonite with a known reference. Hodgkinsonite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hodgkinsonite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hodgkinsonite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, red, reddish-orange, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Hodgkinsonite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside hodgkinsonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hodgkinsonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₂Mn²⁺(SiO₄)(OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 3.91 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Fluorescence
- Bright Orange-red Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphic Zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality and fluorescence
Where rockhounds find hodgkinsonite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphic zinc ore deposits country — that is the host setting where hodgkinsonite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, zincite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify hodgkinsonite?+
Where is hodgkinsonite found?+
How much is hodgkinsonite worth?+
Is hodgkinsonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like hodgkinsonite?+
What minerals are found with hodgkinsonite?+
What kind of rock does hodgkinsonite form in?+
What is hodgkinsonite used for?+
Find hodgkinsonite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
