sign in sign up
<<
Home , Clinohedrite, Esperite, Glaucochroite, Hardystonite, Manganoan calcite, Sussexite

FRANKLIN, FLUORESCENT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD

© Spex Industries, Inc. 1981

by R.W. )ones, Jr. 3520 N. Rose Circle Dr., Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Tell people that Franklin, is lots. In the hustle and bustle of their daily The deposit has yielded close to 300 noted throughout the world for its myriad lives, people tend to forget New Jersey's different , a number vastly fluorescent minerals and your reward is natural endowments: the rich farmlands greater than from any other known source likely to be a blank stare. Tell them that of the south, t he rolling forest and grazing in the world. More amazing, nearly 60 of Franklin, along with neighboring Ogdens­ lands of the northwest, the manicured these minerals exhibit luminescence, in burg, is the home of a truly unique metal lawns and rich green golf courses of its the form of almost instantaneous fluores­ deposit and boredom sets in for sure. But suburbs, and the unique -- cence or as days long persistent take them for a walk on a dark night deposits of Franklin and Sterling Hill . across the waste rock dumps atop this ore Maybe for two or three weeks of t he deposit and they begin to act strangely. su mmer people forego the turmoil and The luminescence of many Frankl in Like children in a candy shop, they're cavort on ocean beaches or bask in the species explains the strange behavior intrigued, captivated by the multi-hued glory of a sun-dappled lake. But to accept noted among miners and mineral colors of these chameleon rocks. Drab­ the ex istence in New jersey of one of the collectors over the years. It is reliably looking by daylight, they burst into color world's mineralogical wonders tests their reported. for insta nc e, that in the 1940s, as under light. Among the brilliant credulity. miners watched the broken ore coming reds and greens, an occasional rock will into the mill, it was not unusual for one of f lash a bright yellow, or a soft brown, or Yet they are intrigued by those glowing them to grab a chunk and dash off to the lush purple, or fiery orange. And if you're rocks. They want to know how they got nearest dark telephone booth where really lucky, a rock will respond with there and why we dig them. W hat they fluorescent response might be evoked tches of three or four colors, , learn is a story even more incredible than with a hand-held lamp. Decades earlier, workers might have been observed \ .. 11lemite, , and cl inohedrite the glowing colors. competing for your attention. swinging a flashing, smoking, noisy Franklin and Ogdensburg(Sterling Hill will even f luoresce with an ethereal glow machine over a jiggling table covered with mine) are neighboring towns nestled in the in sunlight. a watery flow of crushed ore. Their jobs rolling hills of northwest New Jersey. Each were to monitor the separation of ore from Although the night walk gets people's is situated next to a zinc-iron-manganese waste rock as the table vibrated throwing attention instantly, they still find it hard to ore deposit the likes of which exist the tailings as ide. Their machine was an accept that such an intriguing occurrence nowhere else in the world. Sc ientists sti ll iron spark gap whch incidentally emitted takes place in New Jersey, not in some far­ argue over whether these two deposits are weak ultraviolet. away exotic land. To most of us New one - now separated by natural forces - Jersey conjures up fog-bound turnpikes or two which developed under similar This early application of ultraviolet radia­ and speeding cars, gambling casinos and conditions over a billion years ago. For tion was successful because the main neon lights, oil refineries and endless rows convenience I normally think of them as waste rock of the deposit is calcite rich in of factories with their clogged parking one. manganese which causes it to f luoresce a

Massive wollastonite separated from calcite by a Veins of green fluorescing willemite, Zn2Si04, in Fibrous radiating aggregates of wollastonite band of feldspar. Rarity and beauty are combined red fluorescing calcite, CaC03• Numberless vivid against a background of fluorescent calcite. This in this showpiece from "The Fluorescent Mineral and intriguing patterns of these two minerals have form of wollastonite appears to be restricted to Capital of the World." been found throughout the ores at Franklin and Franklin. Sterling Hill.

-1- bright red. Also, one of the major zinc oxides as well as many trace elements. representative of a locality or type of ores, willemite, fluoresces bright green, Together t hey form end less complex occurrence; he knew the subtleties of activated by its manganese content. species and varieties. , color, association and size that distinguish a fine specimen from a Novice visitors may still observe strange Exactly how many minerals occur here is good one; he was a keen judge of the doings at Frank lin or Sterling Hill. I recall an open, controversial subject. The factors that determine the aesthetic and my own first visit to the famous October 1980 program for the 24th Annual scientif ic va lues and, of course, he was Buckwheat Dump in Franklin. I was Franklin-Sterling Mineral Exhibit master at that virtually lost art, sight startled to see a rumpled, hunching dome (sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of identification." Since Palache's death in of blanket being propelled by some Franklin) listed 281 names, about five of 1954, dozens of other investigators, unseen force over the dump. It paused which still appear in doubt. But surely professional as well as amateurs, have and the sound of hammering started. The there will be others not yet announced to taken up the torch in the ongoing search hammering stopped and the blanket take thei r place. In fact, just as we go to for new minerals. moved on. The " force" turned out to be a press Pete J. Dunn of the Smithsonian collector with his ultravio let lamp and Institute announced the most recent find, Most of the current work on new minerals hammer seeking fluorescent riches cast sterlinghillite. So rare that but a single is from old specimens. The reason is that aside by earlier mining! Night collecting is specimen has been located, the mineral is the Franklin mine was closed in 1954 and a common sight here. Col lectors look like a hydrated manganese arsenate. It was mining is on the wane at Sterling Hill, large violet-hued fireflies as they hover found in 0.1 mm clusters of micron-sized productivity probably limited to less than over the rock piles which are being crystals, requiring the powerful analytical a decade henc e. depleted rapidly of fluorescent minerals capabilities of an electron probe for the by this collecting process. unambiguous characterization that resu lts Yet, as mining activity wanes, research in acceptance by the International activity waxes strong. One noted observer The vast variety of Franklin mineral Mineralogical Association. has pointed out, for example, t hat "of 24 species suggests that within these ore species unique to the area, nine have been bodies will be found further evidence of At the rate new minerals are being found in the last six years, six of the nine in discovered in this mineralogical soup, t he their uniqueness. Frondel (1972), as an the last three years." Indeed, a number of total may one day hit 300 species and example, pointed out that the pyroxenes t hese species have been named in honor varieties. But because of the pers istent amphiboles, and micas (a ll particularly o f some of the many amateur mineral arguments about just what constitutes a difficult to identify anyway) associated collectors who have fallen in love with the variety, we' ll let you count for yourself with these zinc ores contain unusually place and whose impact on the study of (Table 1). high amounts of manganese and zinc, Franklin and Sterling Hill has been while the feldspars are rich in barium and The exceptionally large number of mineral considerab le. Recently discovered species lead. That old bug-a-boo of "what species identified at Franklin/Sterling Hill named after contributing amateurs are: constitutes a variety" owes much of its should be credited to the diligence of hauckite after Richard Hauck, diligent confusion to such complex it ies. sc ientific investigators who are constantly collector and student of the deposi t; dismembering anything unusual, wherever kolicite after John Kolic, Sterling H ill Composition of the Zinc Ores discovered. Extensive crystallographic work miner and collector; gerstmannite after The Franklin and Sterling Hill deposit on Franklin minerals was started by Ewald Gerstmann, who assem bled the ( comprises three primary ores: Charles Palache, professor of Mineralogy noteworthy mineral collection now 2 2 3 3 (Zn, Mn+ , Fe+ )(Fe + , Mn+ h04; at Harvard University. In 1904 he began administered by SPEX Industries; kraisslite willemite (Zn2Si04); and (Zn, collecting minerals from Franklin and over after Dr. and Mrs. Fred Kraiss l, whose Mn)O. These are interspersed in a ubiqui­ the next 30 years systematically studied studies and financial support at Franklin tous matrix of calcite (CaC0 3) that itself them. His resea rch culminated in a have been instrumental in preserv ing this fluoresces a beautiful red. Willemite, first comprehensive book published by the mineral wealth; and marsturite after reported from Franklin in 1824, does occur U.S. Geological Survey in 1935 Marion Stuart, a strong supporter of as a minor ore elsewhere. But franklinite, as Professional Paper 180, "The Minerals educational and research projects. identified in 1820, and zincite, in 1810, are of Franklin and Sterling Hill, Sussex History of the Mines found nowhere else on ea rth except in County, New j ersey." According to Prof. trace amounts. Combining with these Clifford Frondel, who succeeded Pal ache The extensive literature on the deposit, three primary ores are numerous other at Harvard," Palache was a connoisseur of over 600 t itles so far, does not reveal when zinc, manganese, and iron silicates and minerals. He could evaluate a specimen as prospecting first occurred in this reg ion.

Radiating crystals of willemite from Franklin. These Unusually well-defined rosettes of fibrous white The Franklin radiating willemite at left specimens are prized for their persistent ­ willemite. The characteristic radiating structure phosphorescing after removal of 254 nm ultraviolet escence, which is highly visible for 30 minutes or can be seen clearly in this daylight photograph. excitation. The exact causes of this long-lived more, and has been visually detected as much as phosphorescence are unknown. several hundred hours later.

-2- Both ore bodies outcrop distinctively so We can only w ish the Franklin Mineral of rocks at Franklin and Sterling Hill they should have been discovered early. M useum could obtain one of these includes the gneisses (dark banded rocks) Yet there is no evidence the Indians historically important sets. There had and marbles (more or less white carbonate mined the area. For that matter there is no been some ea rly mining of hem imorphite rocks that were once limestone). On the evidence of who dug those f irst pits at Sterling Hill for brass making,after large map you w ill note that t he companion ore ~ "ug h speculation fa vors aboriginal pure masses of this secondary zinc silicate bodies at Franklin and Sterling Hill are { )ng of some sort. Dendrochronology, were found at the surface. Ser ious mining enclosed in Franklin Marble so they have the study of annual and seasonal tree ring followed the successful smelting practices been through the intense heat and growth, suggests the earliest know n developed in 1852. pressure of metamorphic action. So have mining pits at t his zinc occurrence are the adjacent Cork Hill Gneiss and M ed ian As the ores were identif ied and methods o lder than 1739. It has long been assumed Gneiss. The Hardyston Quartzite and · worked out for their extraction and that these pits were dug by Dutch or Kittatinny l imestone, on the other hand, reduction, intensive mining began. l egal Huguenot prospectors known to have have undergone less harsh intreatment. It complica tions in mining leases then arose, bee n in the area 100 years ea rlier. It is also has been only subjected to what is termed for the zinc ores were considered separate assumed these early prospectors low grade regional metamorphism, which from the iron ores. After much litigation has altered the original stru cture and mistaken ly thought the red oxide of zinc, during t he last half of the 19th century, chemical constituents only slightly. zincite, was the red oxide of copper. the New jersey Zinc Company emerged in cuprite. An early reference to the area consolidated form to control both The metamorphic rocks containing the ore ment ions a " copper mine tract." Frank lin and Sterling Hill by the century's bodies have been much more victimized Unsuccessful copper m ining, if it actually end. by Mother Nature during her more violent occurred, was followed after the fits. Such treatment is commonly termed A Brief Look at the Geology Revolutionary War by iron mining and intense metamorphism . What the smelting of nearby magnetite iron One look at the accompanying geologic accompanying map does not show is that deposits . Some of these magnetite ores map and you can see that - as is said of geologic upheavals have been so f ierce are adjacent to t he zinc ores . Ef forts to the Grand Canyon - something must that older rock formations are found introduce the black franklinite ores (which have happened here. It is heavily faulted sitting atop younger ones. In a real sense, contain iron, zinc and manganese) in to the (faults are major cracks in the earth's these rocks have been f lipped over like an iron smelters did nothing but foul them as crust) and the rock types show n on the upside-down cake. Coupled with the the then unidentif ied franklinite was too map fall into two categories, faulting and sedimentation, this vio lence refractory, requiring greater heat than and metamorphic and sedimentary. has been res ponsible for creating the different smelting procedures from those unique ore bodies as we find them today. Sedimentary rocks are primarily t hose then available. formed through deposition of rock Much d isc ussion involves whether the two Much interest in t he ores brought about particles by water and wind as well as ore bodies are geologically related. significant events in the f irst quarter of the chemical precipitation and sedimentation Though they are not exactly alike, it seems 19th century. Z incite was identified by Dr. of both inorganic and organi c substances. difficult to argue that two such bodies ~chi bald Bruce in 1810. Pierre Berthier When first formed they tend to be could form so close to each other, just ( j the early chemist ry on f ranklinite in horizontally bedded since they are over two miles apart, and yet be dist inct 1819, although its com plete metallurgy deposited on ocean floors (limestones), and separate. It is much easier was not understood until1880. W illemite along shorelines (sandstones and to postulate that they were once a single was id en tified by Vanuxem, Lardner and conglomerates), and in lakes and lagoons mass now separated by a later event. But, Keating in 1824. as well as on cont inental shelves though most students of the region lean (limestones and shales). toward the single deposit concept, t here is By 1830 Dr. Samuel Fowler had extracted hard evidence to the contrary. The brilliant, white zinc oxide pigment from Metamorphic rocks are the remnants of posit ions of the ore bodies in relation the zincite which, for t he next 100 years, ea rlier-formed rocks which have been to the su rrounding rock types raises doubt. became an essent ial ingred ient in house mangled by crustal action. Heat and Their shapes do not seem to be in accord paint. Fowler al so was responsible, in pressure o f unbelievable force cause these w ith t he theory of a single deposit either. 1838, for the standardization of brass older rocks to be recrystallized, bent, weights and measures for customs houses, warped, folded, and otherwise changed Be that as it may, most recent writings zinc for the brass coming from Franklin. w ithout melting. The metamorphic group favor the idea that this was at one t ime a

Sphalerite, ZnS, a very rich piece with orange Here is seen with fluorescent willemite Hardystonite, a calcium zinc silicate found only at due to Mn, and blue flu orescence and calcite. The fascinating balance of fluorescent Franklin, fluoresces strong violet-blue under both activated by Ag. This iron-free variety of sphalerite, colors is achieved by simultaneous exposure to 254 and 366 nm ultraviolet. The red fluorescence is colorless in daylight, is called "cleiophane," and both 254 and 366 nm ultraviolet. The specimen is due to Franklin's ubiquitous Mn-activated calcite. fluoresces better under 366 nm ultraviolet. from Sterling Hill.

-3· single ore body, or at the very least, two extensive down-warped area of the crust) simultaneously formed ore bodies, the located along a plate tectonic boundary. result of a distinctive set of geological Primary materials were normal circumstances. sed imentary base-metal deposits including iron oxides, apatite, manganese What happened has been the subject of and zinc minerals. These were laid down several theories. Back in 1922 Ries and near active volcanism and hot springs w Bowen had their say and later (1935) related hydrothermal activity. Cummings Pa lache added his ideas to the historical believes the early ores consisted of guessing game. various minerals, silica, clay, and minor Rooted in these earlier work s, and aided trace elements, all of which contributed to by new evidence and new finds, recently the final assemblage. Sulfur (which should published theories include: Fronde! (1972), be present if the original ores were normal Fronde! and Baum (1974), Cummings sulfides) was removed from the protore (1979), and Squiller and Sclar (1980). No (first ore) by two disti nct and unique one theory has been developed to explain events, the exposure and subsidence of completely both ore bodies and all the the ores which effectively removed the observed evidence. Each theory does have su lfur and oxidized the orcs. Later much to commend it to the serious hydrothermal activity and regional student. metamorphism acted on the remaining deposits and, along with other normal Clifford Fronde! is Professor of Mineralogy geological processes such as weathering, at Harvard University. John Baum is a completed the mineral sequence to create retired New Jersey Zinc Company what we find today. geologist presently serving as curator of the Franklin M ineral Museum. Both have fig. 1, Sketch map of the franklin-Sterling Hill area. Based on a map of A.W. Pinger (1950). long bee n involved in Frank lin and Sa muel Squi ller of McClellan Air Force After Frondei/Baum (1974) Economic Geology, Base Central Laboratory, and Charles Sterling Hill research. Vol. 69, #2, p.159. Sclar of the Department of Geological It is speculated that during the first 200 Sciences, Lehigh University, jointly 100 million years ago. Faulting allowed million years of the deposit, beginning presented their theory on the Sterling Hill the introduction of new material and over a billion years ago, sediments removal of some old. The new material deposit in a paper to the Fifth Quadrennial accumulated in a long down-dipping International Association of the Genesis was, in part, derived from nearby vast trough extending along what is now of Ore Deposits (1980). They think their volcanism and related hot springs. Finally, the East Coast of the United States. studies are particularly significant in during the last geologic era, the deposits Submarine hot springs and lavas explaining the Frankl in ore body. They were exposed to erosion, including contributed to these sediments, and describe Sterling Hill as a Pre-cambrian glaciation, which probably removed the bedded accumulations of zinc, (earth time older than 600 million years) ( intervening ores and exposed the ends of manganese, and iron were eventually folded and metamorphosed stratiform the enclosed synclinal fold, leaving two enclosed in the carbonate-rich formations. (l ayered) deposit of oxides and si licates, separate ore bodies at Franklin and This deposition was followed by a period the ore being high-rank metamorphic zinc Sterling Hill. of regional metamorphism during which ore (the term high-rank indicated a ce rtain t he major ore minerals were formed, Warren Cummings, a geologist with the high level of press ure and heat). The including franklinite, willemite, and New Jersey Department of Transportation, deposit started out as a dolomitic mud zincite, plus the nea rby magnJtite beds expressed his particular interest in rich in zinc, manganese, and iron along mentioned ea rlier. Later, earthquakes Franklin and Sterl ing Hill in a 1979 article with silica gel. Metamorphism elevated the entire area which erosion in The Picking Table, an ambitious dedolomitized the mud, forming ca lcite eventually leveled once more. It is bulletin of the Franklin-Ogdensburg and the oxides, franklinite and zincite. The proposed that several such cycles of Mineral Soc iety. He suggests that the term dedolomitization involves the submergence-emergence-erosion-deposi­ deposits were f irst formed 1200 to 1500 presence and later extraction of tion occurred from about 500 million to million years ago in a geosyncline (an magnesium, as dolomite is a mineral

A sugary crust of crystalline , Here the rare minerals hardystonite and lemon-yellow fluorescing , Ca(Pb)ZnSi04, CaZnSiO,(OHh; this mineral is an alteration clinohedrite are bordered by brightly fluorescing contrasted with the rich red flu orescence of product of hardystonite, and is often found willemite and calcite. As many as six fluorescent calcite. Esperite is unique to franklin and is among associated with it, as in this specimen. species are found together at franklin. the most intense of all fluorescent minerals.

-4- similar to calcite but containing both of the species. The long wave radiation problem. Often, reported responses are calcium and magnesium. lamp is particularly helpful in singling out wrong because the original mineral identi­ the fine red fluorescent ruby corundum in fica tion was wrong. There has been noted a decided lack of the surrounding limestone. Also found in graphite in the ore bodies, while the this environment is yellow fluorescing But anyone visi ting the rem ains in the surrounding Franklin Marble suffers no uvite, a spec ies of . An dumps of Franklin or Sterling Hill now lack. This is an explanation of the ·r ·..., excellent suite of both these limestone should not expect to find too many l- .;~lom iti zation process. The graphite environment minerals is in the Gerstmann examples of f luorescent mineral s. M y f irst could have reacted with carbon dioxide to Museum while the Franklin Mineral night walk at Franklin was at the form carbon monoxide which escaped. Museum sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Buckwheat Dump and it wa s a riot of Action between the already formed Franklin, houses the most spectacular color. Later the now defunct Parker Dump zincite and the si lica present produced the fluorescent display. Together, these lit up like a Christmas tree for me. By now, zinc silicate, willemite. The necessary represent the very finest of public displays however, Buckwheat has been so heavily temperatures for the reactions were from these mines. collected you have to look elsewhere for a produced by metamorphic activity with rewarding night walk. Probably the best the zinc present modifying downward the Only very limited studies have been sou rce of assorted self-collected minerals temperature necessary for conducted on the fluorescent ores. A today is the fee-collecting Trotter Dump. dedolomitization to occur. marvelous opportunity exists for an enter­ Long a part of Zinc Company property, it prising student who wishes to delve into a Sq uiller and Sclar ca refully studied the is now privately owned and can be visited rewarding subject. Fruitful results in franklinite grains and found evidence of with occasional spectacular results! correlating the activators and co­ the sedimentary nature of the original activators with the colors and degrees of Current investigations of the Franklin ores deposit. They indicate that recent findings fluorescence are virtually guaranteed are concentrated in three fields. The concerning gel-like muds from the Red since this aspect of Franklin mineralogy reexamining of o ld collections and earlier Sea brines support their theory. Z in c could has been largely ignored. Trace-element work to track down misinterpretations and have resu lted from hot brines low in analysis identifying fluorescent activators overlooked species; close scrutiny of any su lfides reacting with calcite (common in cou ld very well provide further valuable new material mined; and careful the oceans) to form zinc-manganese-iron clues to the paragenesis of these ores and examination of material found by the dolomite mixed with silica gel and iron­ the origin of the ore bodies. Possible continuous overturning and prospecting manganese oxides, all of which yielded activators present in Franklin are of dumps. Amateur collectors highly what we f ind at Sterling Hill today. m anganese, si lver, copper, lead and skilled in recognizing t he unusual or Clearly these theories have points in perhaps uranium. Present indications are unexplained form a veritable army of on­ common and points of disagreement and that, as the manganese content of the the-spot eyes. Largely self-taught, they new facts may support one of these or yet calcite rises to between three and five constitute a formidable support group for other theories. percent, the fluorescence intensifies. As it professionals, several of whom maintain approaches 17 percent the fluorescence sensitive feelers to Franklin from whatever [r~nk lin's Unique Fluorescents gradually grades off to nil. Green seats of learning they occupy. The fluorescing willemite also needs specimen in question is soon subjected to all the unique features identified at manganese as an activator; synthetica lly complete instrumental investigative and F·ranklin and Sterling Hill it is the minerals' prepared willemite, free of manganese, confirmatory procedures. fluorescence that appea ls most to the ignores the u ltraviolet lamp. amateur collector. Aside from the ubiqui­ Some evidence of the work of amateurs tous with its rich red Though there are nearly 60 reported can be found in "The Picking Table" response and the equally brilliant green f luorescent mineral species found at which neatly f ills the gap between the response of willemite to short wave Franklin and Sterling Hill, it must be noted amateur and professional literature. It radiation, a multi-chromatic rainbow of that a few are rare while others are deals exclusively with Franklin and colors can be evoked from the ore. Spec­ abundant. This always creates confusion Sterl ing Hill and related knowledge and tacular pieces generate as many as six and can be misleading when a list is ranks as one of the f inest examples of colors, best seen under short wave prepared. Occasionally luminescence is club-type bulletin activities. Supervising rad iation (2537 A) though long wave so weak as to barely be noted. Correct the Buckwheat Dump as well as the rad iation (3660A) is effective with certain identification of a species may also be a Franklin Mineral Museum, Kiwanis also

A White-fluorescing vein of barite, BaSo., in The orange fluorescing mineral is "typical" Solid radiating margarosanite, Ca2PbSi30,, from

calcite. Fluorescent barite of this shade and Franklin svabite, Ca6(AsO.),F, in calcite. Several the SPEX-Gerstmann Collection. Perhaps the best brilliaoce is unusual; thus associated with calcite, it species in the apatite group occur in solid solution Franklin example of this rare, bright blue is singularly beautiful, and characteristic of at Franklin; they may fluoresce the same due to Mn fluorescing mineral. Franklin. activation, but nothing on the subject has been published.

-5- houses a fine m ine rep I ica and otherwise vigorously active at the local level 1977 Bostwock. Rochard. "The Fluorescent Monera Is of Franklin and Sterling Hill. New Jersey, A Progress lends support to Franklin projects. and many others are wo rk ing at their Report lor 1977:" The Picking Table. Vol 18, #1 specialties. A billion years of Fra nklin's and Vol. 18. #2. March and Sept The SPEX-G erstm ann co llection is t he geologic history make for exciting t imes 1979 Baum, John L.. "Minera l Species Found at most complete private collection of Franklin-Ogdensburg, New Jersey·" The Pickmg for present-day scientists and amateurs Table, Vol 20. #1. March. Fra nklin and Sterling Hill m inerals and alike. 1979 Cummings, Warren, "Frank lon-Sterlong Hill on the displays thousands of specimens arranged Beginnong," The Picking Table, Vol 20. #2. , September. according to the Dana System; i.e. each The next time you are stuck in turnpike 1979 Dunn. Pete J., "Contributo ons to t he Monera logy chem ical group of minerals (such as traffic or have had it w ith t he moribund of Franklin and Sterling Hill. New Jersey." oxides) is shown together. Superb suites of world, head for the rolling hills of Mineralogical Record, Vol. 10. #3. May/June 1980 Squ iller, SF. and Sclar, C B. • "Genesos of t he w illemite, frank linite, uvite, pyri te, and a northwest New Jersey and revel in the Sterling Hill Z inc Deposit, Sussex Count y, New host of other species can be examined history and beauty of America's unique Jersey." Filth Quadrennia/ International Association on the Genesis of O re Deposits. here. Many fam ous old specimens w hich zinc m ines and minerals. Repro nted in The Picking Table, Vol. 22. #1. had lo ng been dispersed have been M arch. REFERE NCES 1980 Kiwanos Club Program. " 24th Annual Frankl on/ ga thered into this collection w hich now Sterling Hill Exhibit," contains several useful includes as highlights pieces f rom the 1822 N utall. Thomas. " Observations and Geological m inera l lists. Brush, Ball, Cahn, Gage, Ho lmes, lang, Remarks on the M inerals of Pa tterson and t he The Picking Table, publoshed sem i-a nnually by M cGovern, Roebling, and Stanton valley of Sparta. in New Jersey," American Journal of Science, Vol. 5. pp. 239·248. the Fra nklin-OgriPnsburg M onera I Society collections. 1922 Ries. H and Bowen. " Origin of the Zinc Ores of Sussex County, New Jersey," Economic Geology, By initiating discovery of new minerals Vol. 17. pp. 517-571 . and providing a place for the housing and 1927 Shuster. Edward Delos. Historical Notes on the Iron and Zinc Mining Industry in Sussex County, FI RSTS FROM FRANK LIN preservation of existing collections, the New Jersey, privately printed. Franklin. N J SPEX-Gerstmann and Frankl in Museums (reprinted by Franklin Kiwanis Club - no date given ). • More mineral species have been perform a significant service to sc ience 1935 Pal ache, Charles. The Minerals of Franklin and recorded t han from any place in the and the community. Sterling Hill, Sussex County, New Jersey, U.S.G.S worl d. Profess ional Paper #180. The recent acquisition of the John 1950 Millson. H. F. and Millson, H.F. Jr .• " Observatoons on Exceptional Duration of Mineral Phos· • At least 20 m inerals occur nowhere else. M cDonald collection by the Smithsonian phorescence:" Journal of the Optical Societ y of is another example of worthwhile America, Vol. 40. #7. July. • Frank lin Boasts the world' s most 1953 Baum. John L.. and others. " The New Jersey Zone spectacular f luorescent m inerals, as preservation. This collection contains Company in its 105th Year." Mining and some 3600 specimens including a Engineering Journa l, Dec. p 1204 fl. well as the largest recorded number particularly important suite of the mineral 1956 Hague. J. M .• Baum, I L.. Herrmann. L.A .• and f rom one location. Po ckering, R.J.: " Geology and Structure of the sa rkinite. Further study of these materials Franklin-Sterling Hill Are. New Jersey," Bulletin • The largest known crystal of franklinite w ill surely prove fruitful. of the Geofor icaf Society of America, Vol 67. pp. 435-474, April. (about 17 em on edge) is a specimen The " book" on Franklin and Sterling Hill is 1958 Metsger, R.W., Tennant. C.B.• and Rodda, J. L.. now at the Smithsonian Institution. "Geochemistry of the Sterling Hill Zinc Deposit. clea rly incomplete. Research on Sussex County, New jersey," Bulletin of the • Among the largest m ineral unit cells fluorescent minerals goes begging. Geologica/ Societ y of America, Vol. 69. pp. 775· 788. known are those of kraisslite, unique( Theories on the origin of the companion 1964 Jones, Robert W., Nature's Hidden Rainbows, Franklin. depos its are vitally alive and ever­ Ultra Violet Products, San Gabriel, CA., revised changing. Mineralogical research is 1970. • Almost 10% of all minera ls found on 1971 Baum. John L.. " The Origon of the Franklin­ earth occur at Franklin. always overwhelmed w ith more work than Sterl ing Hill Minerals:" The Picking Table, Vol there are trained hands to do it. 12. #1 , February. 1971 Bloss. Donald. Crystallography and Cr ys tal Fortunately, resea rch on these related Chemistry, Holt. Reinhart, and Winston. New deposits surges full speed ahead. Pau l York. ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHS: M oore at the University of Chicago is 1972 FrondeI. Clo flord. The Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, A Check List; W iley-lnterscience. particularl y interested in the crystal The specimens were photographed under New York. ultraviolet light by Henry Van l enten of Wayne, chemistry of the lead silicates in the 1973 Baum. John L.. Three Hundred Years of M ining in Suss ex Count y, New Jersey, Sussex H istorical N.J. Unless mentio ned otherwise, 254 nm o r "short calcs ilicate bodies. Recen t literature Society, 16 pp. wave" ultraviolet lamps were employed. These abounds with res ults o f ongoing research 1974 Frondel. Clifford and Baum. John L.. "Structure and Mineralogy of the Franklin Zinc-Iron-Manganese specimens are from the SPEX-Gerstmann Collectior at the Smit hsonian Institutio n. Fran klin Deposits. New Jersey:" Economic Geology, vol as we ll as the collections of Dr. Warren Miller and Museum curator John Baum is 69. #2. M arch/April. Richard Bostwick.

Another rich margarosanite specimen, its radiating Here margarosanite is displayed with clinohedrite, A pyramid of solid orange-fluo rescing wollastonite, structure highlighted by mixed red and blue willemite, and a dull red fluorescing feldspar. This CaSi03, with a base of willemite and ca lcite. Rare fluorescence. The causes of the different specimen is typical of Franklin for its balance of at Franklin and common elsewhere, this mineral is fluorescent colors are unknown. fluorescent colors and rare mineral species. noted here for its fluorescent brilliance, variety of fo rms, and unusual associations.

-6- MINERAl SPECIES OF FRANKUN AND STERUNG HU.lp NEW JERSEY

The following list is based on one edited by john Baum for the 24th AnnLkll Fronklin/Sterling Exhibit. Fluorescent minerals are marked (fl) are best seen under short wave ultraviolet radiation and (fl") IS best under long wave. Mineral names in italics are unique to the deposit

acanthite chalcopyrite groutite acmite chlorophoenicite grovesite sauconite actinolite chondrodite- fl guf'rinite manganpyrosmalite scapolitf-'- f! adamite chrysoco!la gypsum- fl marcasite schal/erite adelite chrysotile margarite- fl halloysite scheelite- fl akrochordite chlinoch!ore margarosanite- fl hancockite scorodite albite- fl cl inochrysoti le marsturite hardystonite- fl sepiolite allactite clinohedrite- fl mcgovernite serpierite allanite hastingsite clinozoisite melanterite siderite al!eghanyite hauckite conichalcite microcline- fl sillimanite almandine copper millerite silver analcime hawleyite corundum- w· mimetite- fl skutterudite anatase hedenbergite covel lite molybdenite hedyphane - W cryptomelane mooreite ang!esite hematite cummingtonite monohydrocalcite- fl anhydrite - fl* cuprite muscovite sphalerite- f!* annabergite cuspidine hendrick site hetaerolite spinel anorthite nasonite heulandite ster/inghi/1 ite anorthoclase datolite natrolite- fl hodgkinsonite- f!* stibnite anthophyllite descloisite neotocite stilbite antigorite ho/denite devil line nickeline stilpnomelane anophyllite hornblende - fl nontronite strontianite f!* huebnerite ~onite- djur!eite norbergite- fl sulfur 01 ::.enic hyalophane- fl dolomite arsenal ite hydrogrossular dravite orthoclase svabite- fl arsenopyrite dypingite- fl * hydrohetaerol ite hydromica synadelphite augite pararammelsbergite hydrotalcite aurichalcite edenite- fl parasymplesite talc-fl' austinite - fl enstatite pargas ite tennantite azurite epidote illite pectol ite- fl tenorite epsomite- fl'' ilmenite pharmacos iderite bannisterite erythrite phlogopite- fl thomsonite- f! barite- fl* esperite- fl picropharmacolite- fl thorite barylite- fl ettringite- fl * johannsenite pi me lite til a site- fl barysilite eveite johnbaumite- fl powellite- fl titanite bassanite prehnite- fl tirodite baumite fayolite kaolinite bementite feitknechtite kentrolite pumpellyite torreyite berthierite ferroaxinite koliclte pyrite tremolite- fl biotite flinkite koettigite pyroaurite ~ fl kraiss/ite pyrochroite uraninite - fl pyromorphite uranophane bornite fluonte- fl"' pyrophyllrte uvarovite brandtite forsterite I arsenite pyroxmangite uvite- fl* brochantite frank!inite lawsonbauerite pyrrhotite brookite friedelite lead vesuvianite brucite legrandite quartz- fl? brunsvigite gageite /eucophoenicite wi!lemite- f! - fl* gahnite \inarite rammelsbergite wollastonite- fl galena !oellingite realgar woodruffite ~ fl ganomalite /oseyite retzian wurtzite calcite- fl ganophyllite ~arminite gersdorffite magnetite xonotlite· fl )ryopilite gerstmannite magnesium-ch/oro- richterite celestite- fl* phoenicite riebeckite yeatmanite celsian goethite magnesioriebeckite roeb!ingite cerussite- fl* gold magnussonite romeite zinalsite chabazite graphite malachite rosasite zincite · f!* chalcocite greenockite manganaxinite- fl roweite zircon- fl chalcophanite grossular manganberzeliite rutile zoisite -7- • <

® ~- lUOAOlOG 2 SPECTROFLUOROMETER IS A SOLUTION LOOKING FOR A SPECTROFLUORESCENCE PROBLEM

TRY IT ON YOURS BY VISITING OUR APPLICATIONS LABORATORY .... Or send along your murky micelle and we'll return its spectral profile with our compliments. (

EXCITATION •1sow or 450W xenon lamp or *xenon flash phosphorimeter or your own laser, et al

doubles in both excitation and emission or *any combination SPECTROMETERS of SPEX singles or doubles

single or double beam modes; all reflective optics; SAMPLE COMPARTMENT excitation beam focused for micro samples; gap-bed for your own contrivance photon counting for high detectivity or *direct current for strong DETECTOR luminescence

real-time ratio and difference measurements; DATA PROCESSING automatic radiometric correction full complement of data-massage treatments

Features marked (•) are options for the modules pictured.

1 1 BULK RATE/U.S. POSTAGE 1II IRIB11 1NDUSTRIES, INC•• BOX 798, METUCHEN, N.J. 08840 • .,.. (201)-549·7144 PAID PERMIT No. 123 WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE: 3246 McKINLEY DR., SANTA CLARA, CA. 95051 408/246-2333 PLAINFIELD, N.J. 07060