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Minerals - Smithsonite | TerraCollect

Mineral - Smithsonite

SmithsoniteZnCO₃

Chemical Properties

Mineral Class

Carbonates

Toxicity

none

Formula

ZnCO₃

Unit Cell

a=4.65 c=15.03 Z=6

Physical Properties

Hardness

4 - 4.5

Streak

white

Density

Heavy (3,5-6)

Optical Properties

Color

yellowgreenbluepinkcolorless

Birefringence

0.227

Luster

Vitreous,

Pearly

Transparency

translucent,

transparent,

opaque

Pleochroism

Geomineralogical Properties

Crystal System

Composition

Elements

Mass

CO₂

35.25

ZnO

64.55

MgO

0.04

CaO

0.35

Germany (Palache et al. 1952)

Groups and Members

Calcite-Group

Karten-Ebenen

Geologische KarteSatelliten Karte

Cleavage

Perfect after {1011}

Fracture

conchoidal,

uneven

Tenacity

Brittle

trigonal

Point Group

ditrigonal-scalenohedral - 3m

Space Group

R3c (167)

Habit

coarse, bulbous, massive, kidney-shaped, Rhombohedron, Scalenohedron, spear-shaped, stalactitic, prismatic, grape-shaped

Formation

Secondary, resulting from the supergene oxidation of primary zinc sulfides (sphalerite) in the oxidation zone of ore deposits, whereby dissolved zinc ions react with carbonate-bearing solutions or the host rock.

Paragenesis

Twinning

Rarity

Common

Synonyms

Smithsonite