Hemimorphite
| Colour | Blue, Green, White, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 4.5–5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous, adamantine, rarely silky |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {110}, poor on {101}, {001} rare |
| Fracture | Uneven to conchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Zn 4 Si 2 O 7 (OH) 2 ·H 2 O |
| Specific gravity | 3.516–3.525 |
What is Hemimorphite?
Hemimorphite is the chemical compound Zn4(Si2O7)(OH)2·H2O, a component of mineral calamine. It is a silicate mineral which, together with smithsonite (ZnCO3), has been historically mined from the upper parts of zinc and lead ores. Both compounds were originally believed to be the same mineral and classified as calamine. In the second half of the 18th century, it was discovered that these two different compounds were both present in calamine. They closely resemble one another.
How to identify Hemimorphite
- Lustre: Vitreous, adamantine, rarely silky.
- Hardness: Mohs 4.5–5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Hemimorphite in different forms
Stones often confused with Hemimorphite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Hemimorphite?
Hemimorphite is Mohs 4.5–5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Hemimorphite?
Hemimorphite is typically blue, green, white, gray (White, grey, blue).