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, so 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, 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.