2.7" Sky-Blue Hemimorphite Aggregation - Wenshan Mine, China

This is a beautiful, sky-blue, botryoidal aggregate of hemimorphite. The individual crystals that make up this specimen exhibit a wonderful sparkle and bear a velvety luster when rotated under a light source. This specimen was collected from the Wenshan zinc mines in the Yunnan Province of China.

Hemimorphite is a basic hydrous zinc silicate with the chemical composition Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O. It earned its name from the Greek terms that best define its crystal structure. It has two different terminations on each side of the crystal, hence the inclusion of the greek terms "hemi", meaning half, and "morph", meaning shape. The crystal formations can range anywhere between a crystal druze or botryoidal formation to radiating acicular crystals and more. Hemimorphite has been found in shades of white, beige, light brown, and a bright, electric blue. It can also form as yellow and green crystals on rare occasions.

Prior to 1803, hemimorphite and smithsonite were thought to be the same mineral, called "calamine". However, further scientific research concluded that these were two distinct minerals.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Hemimorphite
LOCATION
Wenshan Zinc Mine, Wenshan City, Yunnan, China
SIZE
2.7 x 1.7"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#216305