Images
Formula: ZnMn3+2O4
Multiple oxide, spinel subgroup,
manganese-bearing mineral, forms a series with
hausmannite
Crystal System: Tetragonal
Specific gravity: 5.18 measured, 5.23 calculated
Hardness: 6
Streak: Dark brown
Colour: Black, reddish-black
Environments
Hetaerolite is a secondary mineral mainly found in hydrothermal ore deposits
(Webmin), associated with franklinite,
chalcophanite, hodgkinsonite,
willemite, hemimorphite,
manganite, romanèchite and
calcite
(Webmin, HOM).
Localities
At the Rodna Base Metal Ore Deposit, Rumania, hetaerolite is a productof weathering of
manganese-bearing zinc ore. The Rodna
deposit consists of metasomatic ore-bodies in metasomatic limestone and of injections
in andesitic explosion-breccia. The
ores consist predominantly of pyrite, sphalerite,
pyrrhotite and galena. Hetaerolite was found
in cavities within the crystalline limestone where it occurs in a matrix of
limonitic ochre together with fragments of galena
crystals, which have been partially coated by cerussite
(AM 58.1065-1068).
At the type locality, the Passaic pit, Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, Franklin Mining District, Sussex county, New Jersey, USA,
hetaerolite is associated with calcite, willemite,
manganosite, chalcophanite,
gahnite and zincite
(Dana).
Hetaerolite as a lamellar exsolution growth in franklinite from Franklin has been
found in four occurrences, in immediate association with manganosite and
zincite, with willemite and
rhodochrosite, with zincite and
willemite and with tephroite and
zincite
(AM 50.1672).
Back to Minerals