This is a pyroxene. Quick and dirty qualitative EDS (see “Analysis”) suggests hedenbergite rather than augite (or petedunnite). According to the analyst, Zn is much more difficult to detect with his setup than either Mn or Fe. So, while the Zn peak looks lower than Mn, he interprerts the scan as (probably) Fe > Zn > Mn.

Per the analyses published in Dunn’s Franklin and Sterling Hill monograph, hedenbergite at Franklin is generally enhanced in Zn but not in Mn. So the Zn is not a red flag. However  the Mn seems anomalous. Possibly there is solid solution with petedunnite and/or johannsenite (but clearly this is neither of those species).

This specimen was found on the old Trotter dump in the late 1970s. The crystals were freed by etching away calcite with muriatic acid. The back is just a bunch of cleavages (possibly, in part, of another mineral).

The lighting and (upside-down) orientation in the third photo emphasize the “rippled” texture of some of the faces. Interesting – or not – depending on your point of view. The orange/red grains are very poorly formed garnets (proably andradite - but not analyzed). 

Single item (no case) shipping weight 7.4 oz. Note that USPS foreign packet rates recently increased significantly. The quoted rate is good up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g). For buyers outside the USA, that means that additional items are likely to push the postage into the next “bracket” – an increase of $6 to Canada and $9 to all other destinations. (The “silver lining” is that this allows shipping up to 32 oz - 950g.)

Within the USA, the weight is not as much of a problem. There is a nominal increase of $0.20 for each additional ounce. Above 13 oz, I will use Priority Mail. Up to 16 oz, the “own box” Priority rate is $8.50 (including packing).

Please see my "Shipping Policy" for details.