Esperite

Esperite is a rare complex calcium lead zinc silicate (PbCa₃Zn₄(SiO₄)₄) related to beryllonite and trimerite that used to be called calcium larsenite. It occurred on the 400 foot level, approximately 1080 feet north of the north side of the Palmer Shaft pillar and other parts of the Franklin, New Jersey ore body.It has a white, greasy appearance in daylight and is much prized for its brilliant yellow green fluorescence under shortwave ultraviolet light. Found in association with calcite, franklinite, willemite, hardystonite and clinohedrite. Also found as prismatic crystals up to 1 mm in length at the El Dragon Mine, Potosi, Bolivia in association with allophane, chalcomenite, clinochalcomenite and barite.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Recognize and detect the effects of electrostatic charges on your balance

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

The mineral was named in honor of Esper F. Larsen Jr. (1879-1961), petrologist of Harvard University.

References

1. ^ http://webmineral.com/data/Esperite.shtml Webmineral
2. ^ http://www.mindat.org/min-1412.html Mindat
3. ^ http://www.minsocam.org/msa/Handbook/Esperite.PDF Handbook of Mineralogy

• Mineral galleries
• Pete Dunn, Franklin and Sterling Hill, New Jersey: the world's most magnificient mineral deposits, part 3 p. 368 (1995)
• G. Grundmann, et. al: The El Dragon Mine, Potosi Bolivia, Mineralogical Record v.21 #2 p.142 (1990)
• Anthony et. al, Handbook of Mineralogy, Vol. 2 (silicates) part 1 p. 225 (1995)