Wallkilldellite is a rare arsenate mineral that occurs as distinct platy crystals or thin crusts, typically displaying a rich reddish color. It is primarily found in the complex manganese-zinc ore deposits of the Franklin-Sterling Hill district in New Jersey. Due to its rarity and specific chemical composition, it is highly sought after by advanced systematic mineral collectors.
Is this wallkilldellite?
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 wallkilldellite with a known reference. Wallkilldellite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wallkilldellite leaves a yellowish-orange streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wallkilldellite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: red, brownish-red, orange-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: platy crystals, crusts.
Often confused with
Wallkilldellite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Wallkilldellite leaves yellowish-orange, Allactite leaves light brown.
How to tell apart: Flinkite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5 vs. 3.5); streak differs, so Wallkilldellite leaves yellowish-orange, Flinkite leaves light brown.
Often found alongside wallkilldellite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wallkilldellite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₂Mn₃(AsO₄)₂(OH)₄·4H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 2.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Yellowish-orange
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals, Crusts
- Cleavage
- Perfect
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins in Metamorphic Rocks
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find wallkilldellite
Classic worldwide localities
- Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins in metamorphic rocks country, the host setting where wallkilldellite typically forms. If you start seeing arsenates, calcite, willemite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals, crusts habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify wallkilldellite?+
Where is wallkilldellite found?+
How much is wallkilldellite worth?+
Is wallkilldellite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like wallkilldellite?+
What minerals are found with wallkilldellite?+
What kind of rock does wallkilldellite form in?+
What is wallkilldellite used for?+
Find wallkilldellite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
