Hemimorphite

Hemimorphite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: May 2022
Hemimorphite Polished Hemimorphite Rough Hemimorphite Jewelry

Found in several worldwide locations that are often zinc-rich environments, most hemimorphite crystals are white to grayish white, yellowish or totally colorless. But when the robin's egg blue hues are found, miners know they have hit a pocket of true gem-quality material. Not only is fine quality hemimorphite geologically scarce, but there are few locations that have the right combination of trace minerals that create this stunning blue color. This gem is often appreciated as natural specimens due to its almost bubbly botryoidal crystal habit.

General Information

Common Name
Hemimorphite
Species
Hemimorphite
Transparency
Transparent - Translucent
Dispersion
Strength: Moderate Fire Value: 0.020
Refractive Index
1.614-1.636
Tolerance:(+0.003/-0.003)
Birefringence
0.022
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to pale yellow
LWUV: Inert to pale yellow
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Hardness
4.5-5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.300-3.500 Typical:3.450
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Pearly, Greasy, Silky, Adamantine
Fracture
Uneven, Subconchoidal
Cleavage
Perfect, in one direction, Good, in one direction
Chemical Name
hydrated zinc silicate hydroxide
Chemical Formula
Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O
Crystal System
Orthorhombic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Hemimorphite Colors

  • Blue Hemimorphite
    Blue
  • Blue Hemimorphite
    Blue
  • Brown Hemimorphite
    Brown
  • Colorless Hemimorphite
    Colorless
  • Gray Hemimorphite
    Gray
  • Green Hemimorphite
    Green
  • White Hemimorphite
    White
  • Yellow Hemimorphite
    Yellow

Alternate Names

Calamine

Countries of Origin

Angola; Kazakhstan; Portugal; Greece; Austria; Korea (the Republic of); Morocco; Unknown; Brazil; Guatemala; Algeria; Slovenia; Chile; Argentina; Hungary; Japan; Zambia; Congo; Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; Canada; Turkey; Belgium; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Peru; Germany; Yemen; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Viet Nam; Czechia; United States of America; Egypt; Madagascar; Thailand; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Saudi Arabia; Sweden; China; Ireland; Poland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Tunisia; Romania; Switzerland; Spain; Norway; Botswana; Congo (the Democratic Republic of the); Dominican Republic; Mexico; Zimbabwe; Australia; Greenland; Tajikistan

Care

Gentle care, moderately soft. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners.