| Mineral | HEMIMORPHITE |
| Chemistry | Zn 4 Si 2 O 7 (OH) 2 ·H 2 O |
| Class | Silicates |
| Uses | minor ore of zinc |
| Transparency | crystals are transparent to translucent. |
| CrystalSystem | Orthorhombic |
| CrystalHabits | include the bladed crystal form and the botryoidal form as the most common.The crystals are usually elongated and flat.The terminations are different at each end.One termination is blunted by a pedion face that is usually bevelled by several dome faces.The other end is pointed, being capped by a pyramid.The other common form is botryoidal producing a grape bunch texture.Often the botryoidal form has a cock s comb appearance showing rough crystal terminations. |
| Fracture | perfect in one direction. |
| Hardness | 5 |
| Characteristics | strongly pyroelectric and piezoelectric. |
| Occurences | include Santa Eulalia and Mapimi, Mexico; New Mexico and New Jersey, USA: England and Zambia. |
| Indicators | crystal habit, color, density and luster. |
| DensityNote | above average |
| IMAStatus | Approved |
| Discovered | 1853 |
| CellParameters | a = 8.37b = 10.71c = 5.12 |
| Ratio | a:b:c = 0.782 : 1 : 0.478 |
| OpticalType | Biaxial (+) |
| RI | n α =1.614 n β =1.617 n γ =1.636 |
| Birefringence | δ=0.022 |
| SurfaceRelief | Moderate |
| TypeLocality | Băiţa Mining District ( Baita Bihor; Rézbánya) Nucet Bihor Co. Romania |
| Strunz | 8/C.08-10 8 : Silicates C : Sorosilicateswith [Si2O7]6-without anions unfamiliar to tetraheders 08 : Hemimorphite - Junitoite series |
| FolkLore | The hemimorphite is from China. HEMIMORPHITE: Used to decrease self-centeredness. Said to allow a person to accept responsibility for their own happiness or unhappiness. Also said to help relieve feelings of anger and hostility. Also said to help a person in self-transformation, personal evolution, and maintaining or regaining phsyical and mental health. |
