Fraipontite

A variety of Serpentine

Fraipontite specimen - rock identification

What is Fraipontite?

Fraipontite is a zinc aluminium silicate mineral with a formula of (Zn,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4. It is a member of the kaolinite-serpentine mineral group and occurs as an oxidation product of zinc deposits. It occurs with smithsonite, gebhardite, willemite, cerussite and sauconite. It was first described in 1927 for an occurrence in Vieille Montagne, Verviers, Liège Province, Belgium. It was named for Julien Jean Joseph de Fraipont (1857–1910), and Charles de Fraipont, geologists of Liege, Belgium. In addition to the type locality in Belgium, it has been reported from Tsumeb, Namibia; Laurium, Greece; Swaledale, North Yorkshire, England; the Silver Bill mine, Cochise County, Arizona, the Blanchard Mine, Socorro County, New Mexico and the Mohawk mine, San Bernardino County, California in the US; and from the Ojuela mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. A synonym of the fraipontite is the zinalsite, which was reported in 1956 for an occurrence in Kazakhstan.

Healing Properties

Fraipontite's supposed strong connection with Mother Earth may strengthen your bonds with the environment around you - try meditating outside with this stone. Fraipontite isn't believed to work with just one chakra; it aligns them all, creating coherence and calm throughout the body. It is, however, believed to have a particular connection with the crown chakra, enhancing wisdom and retrieving lost memories.

Fraipontite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Fraipontite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Preview only. Full pricing comps and valuation report in the app.

Fraipontite Localities Map

See where Fraipontite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview
North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Interactive map layers and collecting notes are available in the app.

Quick Facts

Physical Properties

Color
Yellowish white
Hardness (Mohs)
2.5
Density
3.49 g/cm³
Streak
White, pale green

Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula
(Zn,Al)3((Si,Al)2O5)(OH)4 May contain some Cu.
Elements
Al, H, O, Si, Zn
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