Lawsonbauerite Locality: Sterling Mine, Sterling Hill , Ogdensburg , Franklin Mining District, Sussex County, New Jersey , USA ( Locality at mindat.org ) An extraordinarily rich specimen of what is considered rare even by Franklin standards, the complex sulfate lawsonbaurite. The rich cluster of intergrown brown bladed crystals is easily visible and measures approx. 3 x 3 cm on the display face. There is also hauckite on this piece, present as microcrystals, I am told. The specimen was noted as "very rare" even in Elling's comprehensive collection. It was named after lawson bauer of course...a former head chemist of NJ Zinc Co. The species is known only from the Franklin-Sterling Hill mining district 8 x 7 x 4 cm — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Lawsonbauerite
Lawsonbauerite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfate class, with the chemical formula Mn²⁺₉Zn₄(SO₄)₂(OH)₂₂·8H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5; specific gravity 2.87; Dull to vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lwb, IMA status: approved, named in 1979.
A rare secondary mineral formed in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc orebody.
It is found associated with Sussexite, pyrochroite, zincite, franklinite, calcite.
The mineral was named to honor Lawson H. Bauer (1889–1954), American chemist, New Jersey Zinc Company, Franklin, New Jersey, USA.