Skip To Content
Go to gemstones.com homepage
Sign In
Recommended searches
Gemopedia
  • Ruby
  • Sapphire
  • Tanzanite
  • Diamond
  • Emerald
  • Opal
  • Moissanite
  • Peridot
  • All Gemstones in Gemopedia
Shop Gemstones
  • Shop Jedora Gemstones
  • Shop JTV Gemstones
Videos
  • All About Black Diamonds
  • Unboxing a Million Dollars in Gemstones!
  • Unboxing Emeralds: Gemologist vs. Geologist
  • Unboxing Rough Diamonds
  • Unboxing Garnet: Rhodolite, Pyrope, Demantoid
  • Marvel Cinematic Gemstones
  • All About Pearls and How They're Made
  • Fun Facts About Tanzanite
  • Freshwater Pearls vs. Saltwater Pearls
  • All Videos
Articles
  • Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Beauty
  • Gemstone Color
  • Gemstone Origins
  • Optical Properties
  • Rare Gemstone Collecting
  • Gemstone Luster
  • Phenomenal Gemstones
  • All Articles
Showcase Collections
  • Quartz Gemstones
  • Organic Gemstones
  • American Gemstones
  • Birthstones
  • Mineral Specimens
  • Colors of Tourmaline
  • All Showcases
Gemstone Discovery App
  • Download the App
About Us
  • About Us
Feedback
  • Survey
Account
  • Account Information
  • Author Biography
  • Articles
  • Gemstones Home
  • Gemopedia
  • Willemite

Willemite

Willemite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Willemite Polished Willemite Rough
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Willemite Colors
  • Countries of Origin

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

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
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

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

Countries of Origin

Unknown; United States of America

Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Sign up for the latest from Gemstones.com!

 
 
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Partner Invitation

©  America's Collectibles Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.