Franklinite
Franklinite is a popular mineral composed of zinc iron oxide. [1]
Franklinite: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Franklinite:- Transparency: Franklinite is opaque.
- Luster: In terms of luster, franklinite is metallic.
- Streak: Franklinite streaks black, dark gray, gray or gray black.
- Specific Gravity: Franklinite's specific gravity ranges from 5 to 5.2.
Franklinite: Background and Summary
Franklinite is a mineral that is commonly found in zinc and iron ores. It was first discovered in the Franklin Mine in New Jersey, USA, and was named after the location. This mineral is a member of the spinel group and has a chemical formula of ZnFe2O4. It has a black color with a metallic luster, and it is opaque. Franklinite is also magnetic, which makes it easy to identify.Franklinite is commonly used as a source of zinc and iron. It is also used as a decorative stone and as a gemstone. The gemstone variety of franklinite is known as black diamond, and it is highly valued for its unique appearance. It is also used in the production of magnets, which are essential in many modern technologies.
To identify franklinite, one can perform a few simple tests. First, one can use a magnet to determine if the mineral is magnetic. If it is, it is likely to be franklinite. One can also perform a streak test by rubbing the mineral on a piece of unglazed porcelain. Franklinite will leave a black streak. Finally, one can perform a hardness test by trying to scratch the mineral with a fingernail or a knife. Franklinite has a hardness of 5.5-6.5 on the Mohs scale.
Franklinite: Table of Properties
Attribute | Franklinite (src) |
---|---|
Transparency | opaque |
Chemical Formula | ZnFe2O4 |
Chemical Composition | zinc iron oxide |
Specific Gravity | 5, 5.2 |
Streak | gray black, dark gray, gray, black |
Hydrous | No |
Colors | common: black |
Solubility | Soluble in HCl |
Category | spinel |
Fracture | 1: 1 |
Franklinite: FAQ
Q: Is franklinite a rare mineral?A: Franklinite is not considered a rare mineral, but it is not commonly found in large quantities.
Q: Can franklinite be used in jewelry?
A: Yes, franklinite can be used in jewelry as a gemstone. The gemstone variety is known as black diamond.
Q: What is the chemical formula of franklinite?
A: The chemical formula of franklinite is ZnFe2O4.
Sources
- Mindat.org. (n.d.). Franklinite. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/min-1570.html- Geology.com. (n.d.). Franklinite: A mineral with a story to tell. Retrieved from https://geology.com/minerals/franklinite.shtml
- Webmineral.com. (n.d.). Franklinite Mineral Data. Retrieved from http://webmineral.com/data/Franklinite.shtml
- Franklinite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franklinite
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