Hodgkinsonite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Hodgkinsonite is a very rare collector’s gemstone known for its bright pink to purple hues. Gem-quality crystals only come from New Jersey, USA.

In terms of rarity, cut hodgkinsonite gemstones are extremely rare and hard to come by. Rough hodgkinsonite crystals are also rare and always small.

If you want to know more about hodgkinsonite, you’ve come to the right place!

We here at Gem Rock Auctions pride ourselves on gemstones of all shapes, sizes, and popularity levels. That’s why today, we’ve gathered up all the properties, history, benefits, and prices of the lesser-known gemstone hodgkinsonite.

Pictured above: Franklinite and willemite matrix hosting sharply crystallized, pink hodgkinsonite crystals that are translucent and lustrous; Found in Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA; Ranstrom Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

About Hodgkinsonite Stone

Hodgkinsonite is a very rare semi-precious gemstone that’s only been cut into gemstone shapes a few times.

These cut gemstones are beloved in vibrant pink to purplish hues, but the stone can also be reddish-brown, orange, yellow, and even black sometimes.

Astrologically, hodgkinsonite is associated with the planet Venus. As such, the crystal is lucky for the signs Venus rules: Libra and Taurus.

As of yet, no synthetic versions of hodgkinsonite have been created.

Hodgkinsonite Specifications & Characteristics

As a zinc manganese silicate mineral, hodgkinsonite’s official formula approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) is Zn2Mn2+(SiO4)(OH)2. The mineral’s formula is sometimes written as MnZn2SiO5·H2O or Zn2MnSiO4(OH)2.

Common impurities in hodgkinsonite are iron, calcium, and magnesium. The common pink to orange hues likely come from a high level of manganese oxide in its composition — only outweighed in terms of oxides by zinc oxide.

In terms of habits, hodgkinsonite forms pyramidal or prismatic crystals that may be radiating or acicular (needle-like). Many prismatic hodgkinsonite crystals are stout with steep pyramid terminations.

Additionally, hodgkinsonite is found in granular or massive habits.

In early writings, mineralogists found pink and wine-colored hodgkinsonite crystal druzy alongside willemite and calcite.

Hodgkinsonite properties listed:

• Mohs hardness: 4.5-5

• Color: Pink, purplish-pink, lavender, violet, red, reddish-brown, orange, colorless; Rarely yellow; May become black from tarnishing or inclusions

• Crystal structure: Monoclinic

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

• Transparency: Translucent; Rarely transparent

• Refractive index: 1.720-1.746

• Density: 3.91-4.08

• Cleavage: Perfect on {001}

• Fracture: Conchoidal

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Fluorescence present - Dull red or pinkish-red in LW-UV

• Pleochroism: Present, weak to distinct - Colorless to lavender or other pale purple shades (usually in transparent pink crystals)

• Birefringence: 0.026

• Dispersion: Moderate to strong

That covers the basics of hodgkinsonite’s mineralogy, but where and when did this rare mineral first emerge?

Pictured above: Photograph of New Jersey Zinc Company's mines at Franklin, New Jersey (Sussex County) taken between 1890 and 1901; Detroit Publishing Co. collection at the Library of Congress; Image adjustments: cropped, tonal values adjusted, some cleaning, brightness adjusted| Image credit: United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division (digital ID de.4a05951)

Hodgkinsonite History

Prominent American mineralogist & crystallographer Charles Palache co-wrote the first description of hodgkinsonite alongside American mineralogist & United States Geological Survey (USGS) chemist Waldemar Theodore Schaller in 1913.

In their description, the mineralogists named the stone “hodgkinsonite” after H.H. Hodgkinson, the Franklin mine Assistant Underground Superintendent who originally discovered the mineral and provided additional samples for analysis.

Hodgkinson originally discovered in Franklin Furnace, New Jersey, USA — specifically the Parker Mine formerly called Hamburg Mine — which is now the stone’s type locality.

Palache and Schaller also credit J.J. McGovern — a celebrated collector of Franklin minerals — for sending the first hodgkinsonite specimen to Harvard Mineralogical Museum for identification.

Palache and Schaller refined their work on hodgkinsonite in 1914 after getting better crystals to analyze. Palache also published an expanded study of hodgkinsonite in 1935, which Australian mineralogist W.M.B. Roberts and geologist Florence Mabel Quodling refined further in 1963.

Hodgkinsonite Healing Properties

As a pink or purple healing stone, hodgkinsonite’s meaning reflects both the encouraging properties of pink gemstones and the spirituality-boosting properties of purple gemstones. Hodgkinsonite can be used as a heart or crown chakra stone.

Physical Healing

Physically, hodgkinsonite is said to treat issues related to:

• Heart health

• Blood circulation

• Respiratory ailments

• Blood pressure regulation

• Immune system function

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, crystal healers recommend hodgkinsonite for:

• Taming anxiety

• Decreasing resentment or anger

• Easing feelings of isolation or sadness

• Encouraging selflessness and generosity

• Opening you to being vulnerable

• Promoting forgiveness and love

• Attracting healthy relationships

Outside the metaphysical benefits, what is hodgkinsonite’s value as a gemstone?

Pictured above: Zoomed out version of earlier picture featuring franklinite and willemite matrix hosting sharply crystallized, pink hodgkinsonite crystals; Found in New Jersey, USA; Ranstrom Collection | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Hodgkinsonite Gemstone Properties

Besides the factor of rarity, hodgkinsonite’s value is also determined by its color, cut, clarity / transparency, and carat weight.

Color

The most valuable hodgkinsonite gemstones are generally bright pink or purplish-pink. Darker or black coloring can decrease hodgkinsonite’s value.

Additionally, stronger fluorescence (glow under UV light) and pleochroism (different colors from different viewing angles) are also value-boosting properties for hodgkinsonite.

Cut

Few hodgkinsonite stones have been faceted, making these quite valuable. Most often, you’ll see hodgkinsonite for sale as rough (uncut) specimens, with distinct crystals being more sought-after.

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the degree of visible inclusions in a stone, which can lower its transparency and value. Hodgkinsonite crystals are almost always translucent, but the rarer fully transparent crystals command higher prices.

As mentioned, some inclusions can also cause hodgkinsonite to appear black, lowering its value.

Carat Weight & Size

Faceted hodgkinsonite gems are always small (under 2 carats) unless it’s mixed with another mineral like willemite or franklinite.

Even rough crystals are difficult to find in large sizes — they’re usually up to 1 cm long — unless they’re part of a matrix.

Pictured above: Hetaerolite (dark metallic crystals) with granular hodgkinsonite (pink/brown crystals) on aggregate specimen; Found in Sterling Mine, New Jersey, USA | Image credit: Modris Baum, Mindat, Public domain

Hodgkinsonite Formation & Sources

Hodgkinsonite has been found in limestone that underwent metamorphism, so many mineralogists theorize that it forms when zinc minerals like smithsonite or hemimorphite inside the sedimentary limestone are altered, transforming into hodgkinsonite.

The first description of hodgkinsonite also conjectured that the mineral may form via “pneumatolytic origin” — meaning hot vapors and liquids (likely from magma) mixed with high pressure altered existing minerals into hodgkinsonite.

Commonly associated minerals include:

• Zincite

• Willemite

• Hetaerolite

• Franklinite

• Chlorophoenicite

• Copper

• Barite

• Calcite

• Tephroite

• Manganese-bearing Garnet

• Pyrochroite

Geographically, where does hodgkinsonite come from?

Mining Locations

So far, hodgkinsonite has only been found in notable amounts in New Jersey, USA. The specific locations in New Jersey are Franklin and Sterling Hill in Sussex County.

Pictured above: Small but very sharp hodgkinsonite crystals (some darker from inclusions, apparently called "black hodgkinsonite by locals) on large matrix specimen; Found in Franklin Mine, New Jersey, USA | Image credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com – CC-BY-SA-3.0

Hodgkinsonite Price & Value

When it comes to hodgkinsonite gemstone prices, faceted stones will be the most costly — if they’re pure hodgkinsonite. Expect to pay around $19,000 per carat (or around $500-$600 total) for a small faceted hodgkinsonite... that is, if you can find one of these rarities for sale.

However, you can find faceted versions of hodgkinsonite mixed with other stones like willemite that range for around $20 per carat (or about $50 to $160 total).

Outside of cut stones, you can find rough hodgkinsonite crystals and specimens for about $35 to $150 each.

Hodgkinsonite Care and Maintenance

Last up is gemstone care. With a fairly low hardness and perfect cleavage, hodgkinsonite is vulnerable to scratches and breaking apart from sharp blows, so avoid both.

The mineral will also dissolve in acids, so only clean it with warm water, a soft toothbrush, and mild soap.

Store hodgkinsonite separately from other gems to avoid scratches.

Head Over Heels for Hodgkinsonite Yet?

We talk about a lot of collector’s minerals, but few are as rare and as beautiful as hodgkinsonite. This brilliant pink to purple crystal offers interesting history, soothing healing powers, and alluring rarity — what’s not to love?

Buy hodgkinsonite and other rare gemstones today!