Hemimorphite

Formula:  Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 . H2O

Origin of name:  From Greek hemi - half and morphe - form

 

Crystal system:  Orthorhombic

Crystal class:  mm2

Twinning:  Rare on {001}

Unit cell: a = 8.370 Ǻ, b = 10.72 Ǻ, c = 5.120 Ǻ   

 

Colour:  White, colourless, pale blue, greenish, gray, yellowish, brown

Diaphaneity: 

Luster:  Vitreous 

Habit:  Crystals thin tabular, vertically striated, doubly terminated crystals distinctly hemimorphic, often fan-shaped groups

Hardness:  4.5 to 5

Specific gravity:  3.4 to 3.5

Cleavage:  3; {110} perfect, {101} imperfect, {001} traces

Tenacity:  Subconchoidal to uneven, brittle

Streak:  Colourless

 

Synonyms/varieties:  Calamine, daviesite, wagite

 

Comments: 

 

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