3.1" Powder Blue Hemimorphite Formation - 79 Mine, Arizona

This is a beautiful, powder-blue hemimorphite specimen from the old 79 Mine in Arizona, USA. It has a beautiful light-blue coloration and formed as a botryoidal lining within small rock cavities. While this area still has some active claims that are occasionally mined, most of the specimens collected now are aurichalcite and smithsonite. This hemimorphite specimen was acquired from an old collection and is still in excellent condition.

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
Old 79 Mine, Hayden area, Arizona, USA
SIZE
3.1" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#144603