Mcgovernite is a rare manganese zinc arsenate-silicate mineral known primarily from the unique ore deposits of Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey. It typically occurs as bronze-colored foliated or tabular crystals associated with other rare zinc minerals.
Is this mcgovernite?
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 mcgovernite with a known reference. Mcgovernite sits at Mohs 2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Mcgovernite leaves a yellowish streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Mcgovernite typically shows a pearly luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze-brown, yellow-brown, orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, foliated, massive.
Often confused with
Mcgovernite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Friedelite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-5 vs. 2.5); streak differs, so Mcgovernite leaves yellowish, Friedelite leaves white; luster reads pearly on Mcgovernite and vitreous on Friedelite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Mcgovernite leaves yellowish, Dixenite leaves brownish-red; luster reads pearly on Mcgovernite and vitreous on Dixenite.
Often found alongside mcgovernite
Minerals reported to co-occur with mcgovernite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Mn²⁺₈Zn₂As³⁺₂(As⁵⁺O₄)₂(SiO₄)₂(OH)₁₀
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 3.72 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish
- Luster
- Pearly
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Foliated, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-500 depending on specimen size and quality
Where rockhounds find mcgovernite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey, USA
- Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed zinc ore deposits country, the host setting where mcgovernite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, zincite, franklinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, foliated, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find mcgovernite on the map
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