Hemimorphite

Big Photo

Republic of the Congo
13.48 carats
© gemselect.com

Hemimorphite is named after Greek word for "half shape" referring to the contrasting terminations at opposite ends of a crystal.

Hemimorphite most commonly forms needle- or fan-shaped aggregates of thin, colourless, bladed crystals; or as blue, blue-green botryoidal crusts.

The material is often blue-white banded and mixed with dark matrix.
9 photos

Hemimorphite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Hemimorphite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Hemimorphite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.87 cts
Heaviest:13.48 cts
Average:6.14 cts
Total photos:8
Do you have a larger Hemimorphite? Why not upload a photo?
0.87ct to 2.13ct2.13ct to 3.39ct3.39ct to 4.65ct4.65ct to 5.91ct5.91ct to 7.18ct7.18ct to 8.44ct8.44ct to 9.70ct9.70ct to 10.96ct10.96ct to 12.22ct12.22ct to 13.48ct
General Information
Chemical Formula
Zn
 
4
Si
 
2
O
 
7
(OH)
 
2
H
 
2
O
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Physical Properties of Hemimorphite
Mohs Hardness5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity3.30 to 3.50
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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TenacityBrittle
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Optical Properties of Hemimorphite
Refractive Index1.614 to 1.636
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.022
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismAbsent
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Dispersion0.020
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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Colour
Colour (General)Blue, green, colourless
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Fluorescence & other light emissions
Fluorescence (General)Weak; not characteristic
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Crystallography of Hemimorphite
Crystal SystemOrthorhombic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitMassive
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Hemimorphite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of zinc-bearing mineral deposits.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Further Information
Mineral information:Hemimorphite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
China
 
  • Yunnan
    • Wenshan
      • Wenshan City
mindat.org
Mexico
 
  • Chihuahua
    • Aquiles Serdán Municipality
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 415
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