Hemimorphite Stalactite

History: Named in 1853 by Adolph Kenngott.  Many names were previously assigned to this species, including calamine.

Tests: May be bluish under SW UV.  Fuses with great difficulty. When heated in closed tube, it will produce water.  Soluble in acids with gelatinization.

Uses: Ore of zinc.

Properties
Cleavage Perfect
Color Colorless, white, blue, gray, yellowish, brown and/or greenish
Crystal Systems Orthorhombic
Fracture Uneven to Conchoidal
Hardness 4.5-5
Specific Gravity 3.4-3.5

Group

Silicates

Composition

Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O