How do I identify Jerrygibbsite?

Jerrygibbsite can be identified by its hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Violet pink to pinkish violet color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Jerrygibbsite?

Jerrygibbsite typically appears in Violet pink to pinkish violet. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Jerrygibbsite?

Jerrygibbsite has a hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Jerrygibbsite

A variety of Minerals

What is Jerrygibbsite?

Jerrygibbsite is a rare silicate mineral with the chemical formula (Mn,Zn)9(SiO4)4(OH)2. Jerrygibbsite was originally discovered by Pete J. Dunn in 1984, who named it after mineralogist Gerald V. Gibbs (born 1929). It has only been reported from the type locality of Franklin Furnace, New Jersey, United States, and in Namibia's Otjozondjupa region. Jerrygibbsite is member of the leucophoenite family of the humite group. It is always found with these two minerals. It is a dimorph of sonolite.

Jerrygibbsite Market Value Calculator

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

Jerrygibbsite Localities Map

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

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Jerrygibbsite

Jerrygibbsite, in pure form, is a violet-pink mineral with a light pink streak. It has a calculated density of 4.045 g/cm, and a tested density of 4.00 g/cm, agreeing favorably, since measurements used to test density have few significant figures. It has a hardness of about 5.5, that of a knife blade. The general luster is vitreous, or shiny. Crystals are generally transparent to translucent. Crystals are not luminescent or fluorescent. Jerrygibbsite forms orthorhombic crystals with an imperfect cleavage along the {001} plane, which can be seen by opaque lamellae alternating with the transparent jerrygibbsite. Optically, jerrygibbsite is negative biaxial with 2V = 72˚ and a maximum birefringence of 0.017. In thin section, jerrygibbsite appears light pink. The crystal structure described by Kato is the equivalent of a unit-cell-twinned sonolite in which the cells are related by a b/4 glide plane.

Composition of Jerrygibbsite

The formula for jerrygibbsite is ((Mn,Zn)9(SiO4)4(OH)2, although it often contains impurities of iron, magnesium, calcium or water. The idealized formula is Mn9(SiO4)4(OH)2 which is the same ideal formula as sonolite, a member of the humite group. Jerrygibbsite has been found to be dimorphous with sonolite.