Marsturite is a rare manganese-bearing silicate mineral primarily found in the metamorphosed ore bodies of the Franklin mining district. It typically occurs as prismatic crystals or fibrous aggregates with a distinct pink to brownish-pink coloration that often appears similar to its associated pyroxenoids, rhodonite and bustamite.
Is this marsturite?
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 marsturite with a known reference. Marsturite sits at Mohs 5.5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Marsturite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Marsturite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, brownish-pink.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: fibrous aggregates, prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Marsturite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside marsturite
Minerals reported to co-occur with marsturite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- NaCaMn₃Si₅O₁₅
- Mohs hardness
- 5.5-6
- Density
- 3.52 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Fibrous Aggregates, Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen quality
Where rockhounds find marsturite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed zinc ore deposits country — that is the host setting where marsturite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, zincite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a fibrous aggregates, prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find marsturite on the map
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