Wawayandaite is an exceptionally rare borosilicate mineral discovered within the famous zinc-manganese orebodies of the Franklin District in New Jersey. Collectors typically look for small, colorless to white tabular crystals occurring alongside other rare species in these complex skarn assemblages.
Is this wawayandaite?
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 wawayandaite with a known reference. Wawayandaite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Wawayandaite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Wawayandaite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, aggregates.
Often confused with
Wawayandaite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside wawayandaite
Minerals reported to co-occur with wawayandaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Ca₁₂Mn₄B₂Be₁₈Si₁₂O₅₄(OH,F)₁₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 3.11 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Metamorphosed Zinc Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $100-500 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find wawayandaite
Classic worldwide localities
- Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA
- Sterling Hill Mine, New Jersey, USA
Field-hunting tip
Look in metamorphosed zinc ore deposits country — that is the host setting where wawayandaite typically forms. If you start seeing willemite, gageite, hardystonite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find wawayandaite on the map
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