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
About Us
  • About Us
Feedback
  • Survey
Account
  • Account Information
  • Author Biography
  • Articles
  • Gemstones Home
  • Gemopedia

Wurtzite

Wurtzite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Wurtzite Polished
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Copy Link
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Wurtzite Colors
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care

Wurtzite is named after French chemist Charles Adolphe Wurtz. It was first described in 1861 after it was discovered in the San José Mine, Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department, Bolivia. It can be dark reddish brown, yellow to dark brown, to brownish black with a resinous or submetallic luster.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Wurtzite
Species
Wurtzite
Transparency
Translucent-Transparent
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
2.356-2.378
Optic Character
Uniaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Fluorescence
LWUV: Inert to Orange Red, Red or Yellow
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Hardness
3.5-4
Streak
Light Brown
Specific Gravity
4.000-4.090
Toughness
Poor
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Stability
Brittle
Fracture
Uneven, Brittle
Cleavage
Complete
Chemical Name
Zinc Iron Sulfide
Chemical Formula
(Zn,Fe)S
Crystal System
Hexagonal
Chemistry Classification
Sulfide

Wurtzite Colors

  • Black Wurtzite
    Black
  • Brown Wurtzite
    Brown
  • Orange Wurtzite
    Orange
  • Red Wurtzite
    Red
  • Yellow Wurtzite
    Yellow

Countries of Origin

Papua New Guinea; Kazakhstan; Portugal; Greece; Austria; Mongolia; Morocco; Unknown; Slovenia; Tonga; Argentina; Hungary; Japan; Ukraine; Zambia; Taiwan (Province of China); Bolivia (Plurinational State of); India; Canada; Belgium; Namibia; Finland; Italy; South Africa; Peru; Germany; Tanzania, United Republic Of; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Fiji; Viet Nam; Czechia; United States of America; United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; Costa Rica; Netherlands; Sweden; China; Ireland; Poland; Slovakia; Bulgaria; France; Jordan; Kyrgyzstan; Romania; Switzerland; Spain; Mexico; Australia; Tajikistan

Care

Wurtzite has a low mohs hardness and easy cleavage so please take special care when handling stones or specimens.

Instagram
Facebook
YouTube

Sign up for the latest from Gemstones.com!

 
 
  • About Us
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Partner Invitation
  • Your Privacy Choices CCPA Icon

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