Hemimorphite
Species
Uncommon · Zn₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂•(H₂O)
A zinc silicate of oxidised zinc deposits, named for crystals whose two ends differ: one terminates in a point, the other in a flat face. Its blue botryoidal crusts are cut as cabochons.
Identity
- Formula
- Zn₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂•(H₂O)
- Chemical class
- Silicate
- Also known as
- Calamine
- Ore of
- Zinc
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Habits
- Botryoidal, Tabular, Drusy, Fibrous
- Fracture
- Subconchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Density
- 3.45 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- colorless, white, pale blue, pale green, brown
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Hydrothermal, Sedimentary
- Host rocks
- Limestone and chalk
- Associated minerals
- Smithsonite, Sphalerite, Calcite, Galena
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- Mexico, China, USA
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Hemimorphite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- Hemimorphite. Gemdat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
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