General Information:
Chemical Formula:
Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·(H2O)
Composition:
(Molecular Weight = 481.76 gm)
Zinc 54.29 % Zn
Silicon 11.66 % Si
Hydrogen 0.84 % H
Oxygen 33.21 % O
Empirical Formula:
Zn4Si2O7(OH)2·(H2O)
Environment:
Veins and beds in stratified calcareous rocks.
Locality:
Nerchinak in Transbaikalia, Siberia.
Name Origin:
Named after the hemimorphic nature of the crystals.
Physical Properties:
Cleavage:
[110] Perfect
Color:
brown, colorless, greenish gray, yellow brown, or white.
Density:
3.4 - 3.5, Average = 3.45
Diaphaniety:
Transparent to translucent
Habits:
Massive - Uniformly indistinguishable crystals forming large masses., Stalactitic - Shaped like pendant columns as stalactites or stalagmites (e.g. calcite)., Mammillary - Larger "bre ast-like" rounded forms resembling botry
Hardness:
5 - Apatite
Luminescence:
None.
Luster:
Vitreous (Glassy)
Streak:
white
More details...