Hemimorphite
What is Hemimorphite?
Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate mineral that is often found in oxidized zinc ore deposits. It’s primarily found in the United States, Mexico, and Namibia. Hemimorphite is often used as a gemstone and is popular for its sky-blue to greenish-blue color.
Hemimorphite is a captivating gemstone that comes in shades of sky-blue to greenish-blue. Its unique appearance and color make it a popular choice for jewelry and decorative items, especially beads and pendants.
| Chemical Classification | Inorganic - Silicate |
| Color | Typically blue to greenish-blue, but can also be colorless, white, or brown. |
| Streak | White |
| Luster | Vitreous to silky. |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent. |
| Occurrence | Namibia, Mexico, and the USA (especially Arizona). |
| Formation | Typically found in the oxidized zones of zinc ore deposits. |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs Hardness | 4.5 to 5 |
| Specific Gravity | 3.4 - 3.5 |
| Diagnostic Properties | Blue to greenish-blue, often botryoidal. |
| Chemical Composition | Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O |
| Pleochroism | Not observed in hemimorphite. |
| Crystal System | Orthorhombic |
| Optical Properties | Biaxial (+) |
| Refractive Index | 1.614 - 1.636 |
| Birefringence | 0.02 |
| 2V angle | Measured: 50° to 65° |
| Dispersion | Not typically noted for its dispersion. |