Nelenite is a rare manganese silicate mineral primarily known from the unique zinc mines of Franklin and Sterling Hill. It typically appears as yellowish-brown tabular crystals or foliated masses often associated with willemite and franklinite.

Hardness

4-5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

Yellowish-white

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareFriedelite Group family

Nelenite

Hardness: 4-5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: Yellowish-white
Transparency: Translucent

Is this nelenite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch nelenite with a known reference. Nelenite sits at Mohs 4-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Nelenite leaves a yellowish-white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Nelenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, brown, orange-brown.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: tabular crystals, foliated masses.

Often confused with

Nelenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Friedelite

Mohs 4-5

How to tell apart: Streak differs — Nelenite leaves yellowish-white, Friedelite leaves white.

Compare →

Often found alongside nelenite

Minerals reported to co-occur with nelenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: (Mn,Fe,Mg,Zn)₁₆Si₁₂O₃₀(OH,Cl)₁₄
Mohs hardness: 4-5
Density: 3.1-3.2 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Brown Orange-brown
Streak: Yellowish-white
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Tabular Crystals, Foliated Masses
Cleavage: Perfect Basal
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Metamorphosed Zinc Ore Bodies
Typical price: $50-500 depending on size and quality

Where rockhounds find nelenite

Classic worldwide localities

Franklin, New Jersey, USA
Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA

Field-hunting tip

Look in metamorphosed zinc ore bodies country — that is the host setting where nelenite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, zincite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, foliated masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify nelenite?+

Mohs hardness is 4-5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is yellowish-white. Common colors include yellow, brown, orange-brown.

Where is nelenite found?+

Notable localities include Franklin, New Jersey, USA; Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA.

How much is nelenite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on size and quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is nelenite safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains manganese and potentially other heavy metals; handle with care to avoid ingestion or inhalation of dust. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like nelenite?+

Nelenite is most often confused with Friedelite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with nelenite?+

Nelenite commonly co-occurs with Willemite, Franklinite, Zincite, Hodgkinsonite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does nelenite form in?+

Nelenite typically forms in metamorphosed zinc ore bodies. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is nelenite used for?+

Nelenite is used in collector.

Find nelenite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.