Lawsonbauerite is a very rare hydrated sulfate mineral known primarily from the zinc-manganese orebodies of the Franklin Mining District in New Jersey. It typically forms as small, attractive colorless to white tabular crystals or crusts, often associated with other rare zinc-bearing species. Due to its scarcity and fragile nature, it is a highly prized species for advanced mineral collectors specializing in Franklin or Sterling Hill localities.
Is this lawsonbauerite?
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 lawsonbauerite with a known reference. Lawsonbauerite sits at Mohs ~4.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: dull to vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates.
Often confused with
Lawsonbauerite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Lawsonbauerite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4.5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Lawsonbauerite leaves white, Retgersite leaves pale green; luster reads dull to vitreous on Lawsonbauerite and vitreous on Retgersite.
How to tell apart: Lawsonbauerite is noticeably harder (Mohs ~4.5 vs. 3); luster reads dull to vitreous on Lawsonbauerite and vitreous on Mooreite.
Often found alongside lawsonbauerite
Minerals reported to co-occur with lawsonbauerite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn₉Zn₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₂₂(H₂O)₈
- Mohs hardness
- ~4.5
- Density
- 2.87 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
- Transparency
- Semitransparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare secondary mineral formed in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody
Where rockhounds find lawsonbauerite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare secondary mineral formed in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody. If you start seeing sussexite, pyrochroite, zincite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, subparallel aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find lawsonbauerite on the map
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