Home > Franklin Type Species – December 26 > MS1033 Margarosanite

Margarosanite - Sold


Margarosanite is a calcium lead silicate. Ford and Bradley (1916) originally described this species. The name follows from the Greek for "pearl" and for "tablet", which describes this specimen. Freed & Peacor (1969) solved the crystal structure. Margarosanite here forms a platy mass with associated andradite garnet. Margarosanite from Franklin fluoresces blue-white under SW UV excitation, and how this piece shows its richness! Rare in small cabinet sized examples!

This specimen was part of the personal collection of Ralph Merrill, proprietor of the prolific mail order business Minerals Unlimited. Merrill's collection card and label also ship with the specimen.