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Chemical Formula | Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 | |||||
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Composition | Basic zinc carbonate | |||||
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Color | White, cream, light gray, light yellow | |||||
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Streak | White | |||||
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Hardness | 2 - 2½ | |||||
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Monoclinic) Only occurs in microscopic crystals which are expressed in tiny radiating or acicular aggregates. Most common forms are crusty, earthy, massive, fibrous, reniform, and stalactitic. | |||||
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Transparency | Translucent | |||||
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Specific Gravity | 3.2 - 3.8 | |||||
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Luster | Vitreous to dull | |||||
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Cleavage | Indiscernible | |||||
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Fracture | Earthy or splintery | |||||
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Tenacity | Slightly flexible and sectile | |||||
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Other ID Marks | Fluoresces whitish-blue to blue in shortwave ultraviolet light | |||||
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In Group | Carbonates | |||||
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Uses | Hydrozincite is popular among fluorescent mineral collectors due to its strong fluorescence. It is used as an ore of zinc if found in areas where an abundance of zinc minerals are present. | |||||
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Striking Features | Fluorescence, association with other zinc minerals | |||||
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Complex Tests | Effervesces in hydrochloric acid | |||||
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Popularity (1-4) | 3 | |||||
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 | |||||
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Demand (1-3) | 2 | |||||
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Commonly Occurs With |
Smithsonite, Hemimorphite, Limonite, Zincite, Calcite, Franklinite (Limestone) | |||||
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Noteworthy Localities |
Large crusts and masses were found in a cave
in Santander, Spain. Also found in Monteponi, Sardinia,
Italy; Black Forest, Germany; Constantine, Algeria; and
Yadz, Iran. Some of the best masses are from Mapimi,
Durango, Mexico. In the U.S., it occurs in Bisbee,
Cochise Co., Arizona; Magdalena, Soccoro Co., New Mexico;
the Grand Deposit Mine of White Pine Co., Nevada; the Tin
Mountain Mine in Custer Co., South Dakota; and in
Franklin and Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey. Other
occurences are the Tintic District, Juab Co., Utah;
Treece, Cherokee Co., Kansas; and Joplin, Jasper Co.,
Missouri. A famous locality of this mineral is Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey. Zinc ore was barged across this lake on its way to be smelted for production from the mines at Franklin and Ogdensburg. Over the years, much zinc ore fell into the lake. The water caused one of the ores, Zincite, to alter to Hydrozincite. When the lake was temporarily drained for environmental reasons, many fine Hydrozincite specimens were found on the bed of the lake. |
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Picture Icon Links |
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Picture Links | 1. Hydrozincite
crust on Zincite 2. Massive |
