Willemite

Willemite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Willemite Polished Willemite Rough

Willemite was discovered in 1830 and named after William I, King of the Netherlands. This stone has remarkable luminescent properties. Some specimens glow under an ultraviolet source and continue to glow after the UV light has been removed, a phenomenon called phosphorescence. Specimens that are faceted make beautiful gemstones in blue, yellow, green and brown colors.

General Information

Common Name
Willemite
Species
Willemite
Transparency
Transparent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Weak Fire
Refractive Index
1.690-1.723
Birefringence
0.028-0.033
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Strong green
LWUV: Weak to strong greenish yellow to green
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Hardness
5.5
Streak
White
Specific Gravity
3.890-4.180
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Resinous
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
Poor, in two directions
Chemical Name
zinc silicate
Chemical Formula
Zn2SiO4
Crystal System
Trigonal
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Willemite Colors

  • Blue Willemite
    Blue
  • Brown Willemite
    Brown
  • Colorless Willemite
    Colorless
  • Gray Willemite
    Gray
  • Green Willemite
    Green
  • Red Willemite
    Red
  • White Willemite
    White
  • Yellow Willemite
    Yellow

Countries of Origin

Unknown; United States of America