Jarosewichite is a rare arsenate mineral known primarily from the zinc deposits at Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey. It typically forms small, dark red tabular crystals and is highly prized by advanced mineral collectors for its specific mineral assemblage and unique chemical composition.
Is this jarosewichite?
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 jarosewichite with a known reference. Jarosewichite sits at Mohs 3-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Jarosewichite leaves a light red streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Jarosewichite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark red, brownish-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Jarosewichite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside jarosewichite
Minerals reported to co-occur with jarosewichite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₃Mn(AsO₄)(OH)₆
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 3.84 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Light Red
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 per specimen
Where rockhounds find jarosewichite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA
- Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed zinc ore deposits country — that is the host setting where jarosewichite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, zincite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find jarosewichite on the map
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