Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mindat.org/user-2830.html#0">John Sobolewski</a> (JSS) (CC BY 3.0)
orthorhombiccommonSilicates
Hemimorphite
Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O
This specimen is a 3.4 by 2.5 cm sky blue botryoidal mass, exhibiting the characteristic rounded, bubbly habit of Hemimorphite. Its delicate color and form make it a visually appealing mineral.
Hemimorphite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
4.5Crystal System
orthorhombicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
whiteCleavage
Perfect on {110}, good on {101}Fracture
uneven/conchoidalSpecific Gravity
3.45Colors
white, colorless, pale blue, green, yellow, brownTransparency
transparent/translucentType Locality
Laochang ore field (Laochang Mine), Eastern Sub-district, Gejiu Sn-polymetallic ore field, Gejiu Co., Honghe Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, ChinaMineral Group
SilicatesUses
minor ore of zinc, collector's specimens, gemstoneAssociated Minerals
smithsonite, cerussite, anglesite, galena, sphalerite, limonite, calciteRarity
commonGeological Context
Hemimorphite is a secondary mineral typically found in the oxidized zones of zinc-lead ore deposits, forming from the alteration of primary zinc sulfides like sphalerite. It often occurs in association with other secondary zinc minerals in these environments.
