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)
More from other references
Physical Properties of Hemimorphite
Mohs Hardness5
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Specific Gravity3.30 to 3.50
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
FractureUneven,Conchoidal
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Optical Properties of Hemimorphite
Refractive Index1.614 to 1.636
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
Birefringence0.022
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
PleochroismAbsent
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Dispersion0.020
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
Colour
Colour (General)Blue, green, colourless
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
TransparencyTransparent,Translucent,Opaque
Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
More from other references
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)
More from other references
HabitMassive
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
More from other references
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
Copyright © Jolyon & Katya Ralph 1993-2024. Site Map. Photographs are copyright of the individuals who submitted them. For more information please contact the . Gemdat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free gemmological information to all.