Mineral - Zincite
Zincite
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Oxides and Hydrxides
Toxicity
none
Formula
ZnO
Unit Cell
a=3.25 c=5.21 Z=2
Physical Properties
Hardness
4
Streak
orangeyellowyellow orange
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Perfect after {10 1 0}
Fracture
conchoidal
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
redorangeyellow
Birefringence
0.016
Luster
Greasy,
Adamantine
Transparency
translucent,
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
hexagonal
Point Group
dihexagonal-pyramidal - 6mm
Space Group
P6 3 mc (186)
Habit
dipyramidal, massive, prismatic, pyramidal
Formation
Through high-temperature metamorphism of silicate zinc-iron-manganese ore deposits under oxidizing conditions and extreme sulfur deficiency
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarity
Rather rare
Synonyms
Zincite
Composition
Elements
Mass
SiO₂
0.08
FeO
0.01
MnO
0.27
ZnO
99.63
New Jersey (Palache et al. 1952)