Marsturite Locality: Molinello Mine, Graveglia Valley, Ne, Genova Province , Liguria , Italy ( Locality at mindat.org ) Orange xls of Marsturite, field of view is 5 mm. Depth of field is achieved with CombineZM. Specimen and photo Leon Hupperichs. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Marsturite
Marsturite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula NaCaMn²⁺₃Si₅O₁₄(OH).
It crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system (space group P-1). It is a member of the Rhodonite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 6; specific gravity 3.46; Frosty, on the tips of crystals luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Msr, IMA status: approved, named in 1977.
Implanted on manganaxinite and epitaxially overgrown on rhodonite in a metamorphosed stratiform zinc deposit (Franklin, New Jersey, USA).
It is found associated with Rhodonite, manganaxinite, ganophyllite, willemite, franklinite (Franklin, New Jersey, USA); natronambulite, k^o zulite (Tanohata mine, Japan).
The name refers to MARion STUart, of Bellevue, Idaho, USA, benefactress of fossil and mineral collections in the USA.