Roweite is a rare borate mineral found almost exclusively in the unique metamorphic deposits of Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey. It typically occurs as small, fragile acicular crystals or radial clusters associated with willemite and franklinite. Collectors value it for its limited occurrence and specific association with the world-famous Franklin mineral suite.
Is this roweite?
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 roweite with a known reference. Roweite sits at Mohs 5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Roweite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Roweite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, brownish, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial or divergent aggregates.
Often confused with
Roweite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside roweite
Minerals reported to co-occur with roweite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CaMn²⁺₂(B₄O₇)(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 2.93 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular to Prismatic Crystals, Often as Radial or Divergent Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Poor
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Zinc-iron-manganese Orebodies
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find roweite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin, New Jersey, USA
- Sterling Hill, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed zinc-iron-manganese orebodies country — that is the host setting where roweite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, franklinite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular to prismatic crystals, often as radial or divergent aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify roweite?+
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Find roweite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
