Guide
Hemimorphite specimens for sale
132 for sale · $20–$28,000 USD
473 in the gallery
Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate that forms prismatic to tabular crystals, often in pale blue to blue-green hues, and commonly exhibits a vitreous to resinous lustre. It can also occur as botryoidal or crust-like aggregates, and is prized for its delicate color and glassy shine. Collectors value well-formed crystals from classic zinc districts, with notable specimens reported from Mexico, China, and the United States, among other producing regions.
- Formula
- Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O
- Rarity
- Common
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Moderate Interest
- Classification notes
- Sorosilicate; hemimorphite group
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- orthorhombic
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5–5
- Specific gravity
- 3.4–3.5
- Luster
- vitreous, adamantine, silky
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- colorless, white, gray, brown, yellow, green, blue
- Streak
- white
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- uneven, subconchoidal
- Crystal habit
- prismatic, tabular, bladed, acicular, radiating, botryoidal, stalactitic, granular, massive
- Gem mineral
- Classic / historic
Buy Hemimorphite specimens
View all 132Where Hemimorphite is found
Top localities
- Wenshan Mine61 specimens
- Ojuela Mine47 specimens
- 79 Mine35 specimens
- San Antonio Mine22 specimens
- Santa Eulalia Mining District22 specimens
- Mfouati15 specimens
- Palabanda quarries14 specimens
- Potosí Mine14 specimens
- M’Fouati mine10 specimens
- Coldstones Quarry8 specimens
Guides
All guides
Guide
Hemimorphite from Wenshan Mine, Yunnan, China
Hemimorphite from Wenshan Mine, Yunnan - blue, velvety skin on bubbly forms; a modern classic prized for intense color, translucence, and locality.Read guide
Guide
Hemimorphite from Santa Eulalia Mining District, Mexico
Hemimorphite — Santa Eulalia, Mexico: glassy, colorless to tinted sprays with sharp prismatic blades on gossan, prized for airy pockets and vivid luster.Read guide
Guide
Hemimorphite from Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Hemimorphite from the Ojuela Mine, Mexico — classic oxidized-zone crystals, glassy colorless to milky blades, and collector-focused quality factors.Read guideAbout Hemimorphite
In hand specimen, hemimorphite can present as crisp, gemmy crystals or softer, crystalline masses that catch light with a bright, almost electric blue. Its association with smithsonite or zinc-rich hydrothermal veins can guide field collecting, while pockets within oxidized zones tend to reveal the most appealing crystals. The mineral is relatively common in secondary zinc deposits, and fine crystal styles from historic mines remain sought after.
