SCLARITE



Sclarite is a zinc carbonate hydroxide mineral and the zinc analogue of loseyite. Analysis by Grice and Dunn (1989), with H2O and CO2 calculated, yielded FeO 0.1, MgO 6.7, MnO 4.2, ZnO 62.0, CO2 [12.67], H2O [12.97], total = 98.6 wt. %.
Sclarite was first described from Franklin by Grice and Dunn (1989); it remains unique to the deposit.
Sclarite is isostructural with loseyite (Hill, 1980; Grice and Dunn, 1989) and has Zn atoms occupying both octahedral and tetrahedral sites.
Sclarite occurs as colorless transparent 1.5 mm crystals which form slightly divergent arrays; such clusters can resemble very coarse-surfaced spherules and are grayish white in the aggregate. Individual sclarite crystals are prismatic, elongate, and tabular; a minor pinacoid is present. The luster is vitreous; no cleavage was observed; and the density is 3.51 g/cm3.
There is no discernible response to ultraviolet.
Sclarite is known on but one specimen from Franklin and has not been found at Sterling Hill. It occurs on calcite-free, granular, willemite-franklinite ore; the specimen is slightly sheared and has minor zincite present. The exposed surface is coated unevenly with sparse leucophoenicite, dense abundant gageite, and sparse secondary zincite. These species are coated with rhodochrosite spherules, chlorophoenicite, and additional gageite. Sclarite is among the last minerals to form and is also associated with the unnamed Zn-Mg carbonate mineral described by Dunn (1986). (Dunn, 1995)

 Location Found: Franklin (Type Locality)
     
 
 Year Discovered: 1988
     
 Formula: (Zn,Mg,Mn2+)4Zn3(CO3)2(OH)10
 Essential Elements: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Zinc
 All Elements in Formula: Carbon, Hydrogen, Magnesium, Manganese, Oxygen, Zinc
     
 IMA Status: Approved 1988
     
     
 To find out more about this mineral at minDat's website, follow this link   Sclarite

     
 References:
Dunn, Pete J. (1995). Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits. Franklin, NJ.: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society. p.624
The Picking Table References
 PT Issue and PageDescription / Comment
View IssueV. 31, No. 1 - Spring 1990, pg. 17New To Science Sclarite
View IssueV. 30, No, 2 - Fall 1989, pg. 3Notes from the Laboratory & Changes to the List of Species From Franklin and Sterling Hill, Pete J. Dunn, John L. Baum, Sclarite
View IssueV. 30, No. 1 - Spring 1989, pg. 20From the Editor's Desk, Omer S. Dean, Sclarite
     
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