Geology / History
Hemimorphite is an important ore of Zinc & contains up to 54.2% of the metal, together with silicon, oxygen & hydrogen. The crystals are blunt at one end & sharp at the other. A sorosilicate mineral which has been historically mined from the upper parts of zinc & leadores, chiefly associated with Smithsonite. It was often assumed to be the same mineral & both were classed under the same name of Calamine.
In the second half of the 18th century it was discovered that there were two different minerals under the heading of calamine - a zinc carbonate & a zinc silicate, which often closely resembled each other. The silicate was the rarer of the two & named hemimorphite due to the hemimorph development of its crystals. This unusual form is typical of only a few minerals & means that the crystals are terminated by dissimilar faces.
Hemimorphite most commonly forms crystalline crusts & layers. Also forming massive, granular, rounded, reniform aggregates, concentrically striated, finely needle-shaped, fibrous or stalactitic & rarely fan-shaped. Hemimorphite most frequently occurs as the product of the oxidation of the upper parts of sphalerite bearing ore bodies, accompanied by other secondary minerals which form the so-called iron cap or gossan.
Metaphysical Properties
Hemimorphite is a stone of absolute joy & abundant good fortune. It encourages creativity & spiritual flow. A stone for wellbeing, balance & personal evolution. Said to aid one in acquiring self-knowledge & developing self-acceptance, leading to a state of egoless self-confidence. Illuminates your souls purpose & path. Hemimorphite enables one to face grief or sorrow without resistance & maintans joy.
Hemimorphite encourages us to be practical & resourceful. It helps us to look beyond negative traits & takes you to the real cause of emotions such as anger, to understand the root of these traits & turn them into positives. In the space of Hemimorphite we are free to develop more advantageous & brave ways of being. It neutralises emotions clouding our judgment & is beneficial for healing rifts in relationships. For those with a propensity for clairvoyance hemimorphite is said to aid psychic development. It attracts spirit guides to those who are ready.
Crystal Healing
Eases anxiety, learning issues, eyes & heart.
Minerology
Group: Sorosilicates ( Zinc Minerals)
Crystal System: Orthorhombic, pyramidal
Composition: Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O
Form/Habit: Polar crystals, with different or hemimorphic ends. Also coxcomb masses, mammillary, stalactitic, or massive
Hardness: 4.5-5
Cleavage: Perfect on {110}, poor on {101}, {001} rare
Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal
Lustre: Vitreous, adamantine, rarely silky
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.516 - 3.5253.516 - 3.525
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
R.I: nα = 1.614 nβ = 1.617 nγ = 1.636
Colour: White, blue, greenish
Birefringence: δ = 0.022
Solubility: Soluble in acid
Hemimorphite is an important ore of Zinc & contains up to 54.2% of the metal, together with silicon, oxygen & hydrogen. The crystals are blunt at one end & sharp at the other. A sorosilicate mineral which has been historically mined from the upper parts of zinc & leadores, chiefly associated with Smithsonite. It was often assumed to be the same mineral & both were classed under the same name of Calamine.
In the second half of the 18th century it was discovered that there were two different minerals under the heading of calamine - a zinc carbonate & a zinc silicate, which often closely resembled each other. The silicate was the rarer of the two & named hemimorphite due to the hemimorph development of its crystals. This unusual form is typical of only a few minerals & means that the crystals are terminated by dissimilar faces.
Hemimorphite most commonly forms crystalline crusts & layers. Also forming massive, granular, rounded, reniform aggregates, concentrically striated, finely needle-shaped, fibrous or stalactitic & rarely fan-shaped. Hemimorphite most frequently occurs as the product of the oxidation of the upper parts of sphalerite bearing ore bodies, accompanied by other secondary minerals which form the so-called iron cap or gossan.
Metaphysical Properties
Hemimorphite is a stone of absolute joy & abundant good fortune. It encourages creativity & spiritual flow. A stone for wellbeing, balance & personal evolution. Said to aid one in acquiring self-knowledge & developing self-acceptance, leading to a state of egoless self-confidence. Illuminates your souls purpose & path. Hemimorphite enables one to face grief or sorrow without resistance & maintans joy.
Hemimorphite encourages us to be practical & resourceful. It helps us to look beyond negative traits & takes you to the real cause of emotions such as anger, to understand the root of these traits & turn them into positives. In the space of Hemimorphite we are free to develop more advantageous & brave ways of being. It neutralises emotions clouding our judgment & is beneficial for healing rifts in relationships. For those with a propensity for clairvoyance hemimorphite is said to aid psychic development. It attracts spirit guides to those who are ready.
Crystal Healing
Eases anxiety, learning issues, eyes & heart.
Minerology
Group: Sorosilicates ( Zinc Minerals)
Crystal System: Orthorhombic, pyramidal
Composition: Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·H2O
Form/Habit: Polar crystals, with different or hemimorphic ends. Also coxcomb masses, mammillary, stalactitic, or massive
Hardness: 4.5-5
Cleavage: Perfect on {110}, poor on {101}, {001} rare
Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal
Lustre: Vitreous, adamantine, rarely silky
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 3.516 - 3.5253.516 - 3.525
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
R.I: nα = 1.614 nβ = 1.617 nγ = 1.636
Colour: White, blue, greenish
Birefringence: δ = 0.022
Solubility: Soluble in acid