Zincite with Franklinite and Willemite

Unknown Owner

This very large miniature to small cabinet specimen is from the world famous Franklin Mining District in New Jersey, USA and is extremely rich in the very rare zinc oxide species Zincite. Despite zinc being a relatively abundant metal Zincite is known from a remarkably small number of localities of which the Type Locality at Franklin remains the only one where large visible masses are known. The bright red appearance of Zincite is distinctive and instantly recognizable as from Franklin, with this specimen also having the other Type Locality species - Franklinite - in association along with the brilliantly fluorescent zinc silicate Willemite. It is from the superb systematic collection assembled by the brothers Martin and Michael Günther (1951-2007 & 1956-2021).