New Jersey now has an official state mineral.

In tribute to the state’s rich mining heritage, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law into effect July 19 granting the distinction to franklinite – a rock made up of zinc, iron and manganese that is often found in northwest New Jersey, but otherwise considered rare around the world.

Murphy, in a statement, said, “By designating franklinite as the official state mineral, we celebrate yet another quintessentially Jersey piece of history. Franklinite quite literally helped build our modernizing nation’s foundation while fueling the growth of the railroad industry and New Jersey’s local economies. This legislation will ensure that franklinite’s enduring economic and cultural legacy is remembered not just in Sussex County, but across the Garden State.”

Discovered in 1819 by a French geologist, franklinite is an important mineral that was mined at the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines and used in products ranging from sunblock to car tires, cosmetics and brass. Its demand helped propel the area into a booming mining town for 60 years; however, after the ore was exhausted, the two mines wound down active excavation between the 1950s and 1980s, according to the bill’s text.

Though no longer pulled from the local ground, brilliant, colorful specimens of franklinite remain favorites of the world’s mineral hobbyists and collectors. Franklin Mineral Museum and Sterling Hill Mining Museum also continue to be popular tourist attractions in the state, especially for student class trips.

Assembly Bill 3393 was sponsored by Assemblymembers Parker Space, R-24th District; Harold Wirths, R-24th District; and Kevin Rooney, R-40th District. It was approved May 25 in 73-0 vote.

The Senate bill, which was introduced by state Sens. Edward Durr, R-3rd District, and Steven Oroho, R-24th District, passed in a 36-0 vote Oct. 17, 2022.

Following the signing, Oroho said, “Franklinite represents an important part of New Jersey’s history for the role it played in helping to industrialize our state.”

He went on to say, “Franklinite is a critical link to our state’s mineral mining heritage and its designation as New Jersey’s official state mineral is most appropriate.”

Durr stated, “With the signing of this bill, New Jersey will recognize the tremendous impact this mineral has had on the construction of water, electric, and other crucial infrastructure we rely on every day.”

Wirths credited the efforts of several Sussex County locals in helping to get the legislation to the governor’s desk.

“Jeff Osowski of the Sterling Hill Mining Museum built the momentum for this years ago; Bill Truran took a keen interest in organizing support when he became the Sussex County Historian in 2019; and all the students in Northern New Jersey who kept writing letters to get this bill through the legislative process and now signed into law. This is a great day for everyone involved,” the assemblyman said.