The Mineral ZINCITE
- Chemical Formula: ZnO , Zinc Oxide
- Class: Oxides and Hydroxides
- Uses: An ore of zinc and as mineral specimens.
Specimens
The structure of zincite consists of tetrahedrons of ZnO4. The tetrahedrons in zincite all are oriented in one direction and produce the hexagonal (six fold rotational) symmetry. The major axis is symmetrically polar and results in a hemimorphic crystal structure. In other words, there is no symmetry element, like a mirror or two fold rotational axis, perpendicular to the major axis and thus crystal faces on top of the crystal are not repeated on the bottom of the crystal. Hemimorphic crystals have different looking tops from their bottoms, as if they never completed the opposite, symmetrical, side; therefore the term hemimorphic or half shape. Other minerals besides zincite that have a hemimorphic character are the tourmalines, hemimorphite (what's the first clue?), greenockite and wurtzite; among others.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is orange-yellow to deep red or brown.
- Luster is adamantine.
- Transparency crystals are commonly translucent more rarely transparent.
- Crystal System is hexagonal; 6 m m
- Crystal Habits include rarely well shaped, over all, hemimorphic pyramidal crystals sometimes with an hexagonal prism terminated by the basal face of a pedion on one side and the sharp point of the pyramid on the other. Usually found as rounded granular crystals; also massive in veins and lamellar.
- Cleavage is good in three directions (prismatic).
- Fracture is conchoidal.
- Hardness is 4
- Specific Gravity is 5.4 - 5.7 (slightly heavy even for metallic minerals)
- Streak is orange-yellow.
- Other Characteristics: There is a basal parting.
- Associated Minerals include calcite,
rhodonite,
willemite,
franklinite,
tephorite,
pyroxmangite and other rare Sterling Hill and Franklin, New Jersey minerals. - Notable Occurrences include the Sterling Hill and Franklin, New Jersey, USA locations where it is found in abundance. Some occurrences from where zincite is found but in much scarcer quantities include Tuscany, Italy; Tsumeb, Namibia; the Dick Weber Mine, Colorado, USA; Poland, Spain and Tasmania, Australia.
- Best Field Indicators are luster, color, occurrence, associations, cleavage, parting and streak.
 Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery MINERALS |
ZINCITE specimen zic-1
$ 120.00
$ 120.00
Dims: 4.3 x 3.2 x 1.5" (11.0 x 8.1 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 15.4 oz. (437 g)
unknown (laboratory-grown)
This cabinet-sized piece consists of partial crust of synthesized, crystalline Zincite. The Zincite is in good condition, showing damage only at the edges of the crust, and appears to have good hexagonal prismatic form, though most of the larger crystals in the crust are covered with a thick druse of much smaller, heavily intergrown crystals. Its color is odd in that the base of the crust is violet, with some yellow material present on its underside, but fades to an orange color where the largest crystals are present- this color, in turn, fades to colorlessness where the thick druse begins. All of the material is transparent and clear to a degree, and possesses a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster.
zic-1 ($120.00)
unknown (laboratory-grown)
ZINCITE specimen zic-2
$ 60.00
$ 60.00
Dims: 2.9 x 2.2 x 1.4" (7.4 x 5.5 x 3.7 cm)
Wt: 4.6 oz. (131 g)
unknown (laboratory grown)
This hand specimen consists of several nearly stalactitic, intersecting formations of intergrown Zincite crystals. The formations are in moderately good condition, as several are noticeably damaged. The crystals that make up the formations reach lengths of 0.9" (2.3 cm) and are generally extremely warped- however, a single, exposed crystal has exceptional hexagonal prismatic form with a nearly symmetrical pyramidal termination. All have a deep orange coloration with a hint of brown and a vitreous-to-adamantine luster, and are transparent and quite clear- however, there are dark impurities in some areas. A white, dull crust coats portions of the piece, and no host rock is present.
zic-2 ($ 60.00)
unknown (laboratory grown)
ZINCITE specimen zic-3
$ 36.00
$ 36.00
Dims: 1.2 x 1.0 x 0.7" (3.0 x 2.5 x 1.7 cm)
Wt: 12 g
unknown (laboratory grown)
A small crust of crystalline Zincite comprises this specimen. The crust is in very good condition, showing only very light damage in a few areas. All but one of the crystals therein measure no more than 0.1" (3 mm) in length- the remaining one is quite large, measuring 0.9 x 0.5 x 0.3" (2.4 x 1.3 x 0.8 cm). Their hexagonal form is quite good, though it is slightly warped in the largest crystal, and all have a uniform brown color and nearly greasy, adamantine luster. They are also transparent and quite clear. As they are laboratory-grown, there is no host rock present.
zic-3 ($ 36.00)
unknown (laboratory grown)
ZINCITE specimen zic-4
$ 90.00
$ 90.00
Dims: 2.5 x 1.5 x 0.8" (6.3 x 3.7 x 2.0 cm)
Wt: 1.4 oz. (40 g)
unknown (lab created)
This piece consists of a simple cluster of warped Zincite crystals. The cluster is generally in good condition, though a few obvious areas of damage are present. The largest of these crystals measures 2.5" (6.4 cm) in length and shows a rather warped hexagonal form that is shared by all the other crystals. All have a dark, olive-green color and a bright pearly luster, and are transparent and very clear. Being laboratory-grown, there is no host rock present.
zic-4 ($ 90.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-5
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 2.0 x 0.6 x 0.4" (5.0 x 1.6 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 0.4 oz. (12 g)
unknown (lab created)
A single Zincite crystal essentially makes up this thumbnail piece - a few smaller, incomplete crystals are attached, however. The main crystal measures 1.6 x 0.3 x 0.3" (4.0 x 0.8 x 0.7 cm) and is in excellent condition, showing almost no damage. It has excellent hexagonal prismatic form and looks a lot like a well-formed citrine, with an orange-yellow color and vitreous luster. It is transparent and quite clear. Being laboratory grown, it lacks host material.
zic-5 ($ 40.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-6
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 1.7 x 0.3 x 0.3" (4.4 x 0.9 x 0.9 cm)
Wt: 0.3 oz. (9 g)
unknown (lab created)
This large thumbnail piece consists of a single, broken Zincite cryastal. The crystal is in fair condition, since its termination is broken off, but it shows otherwise excellent hexagonal prismatic form, with many tiny "offshoot" crystals extending up from its prism faces. It has a deep orange-yellow color and a vitreous luster and is transparent and quite clear.
zic-6 ($ 40.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-7
$ 63.00
$ 63.00
Dims: 1.2 x 0.9 x 0.7" (3.1 x 2.3 x 1.7 cm)
Wt: 0.5 oz. (13 g)
unknown (lab created)
At least 5 Zincite crystals are clustered to make up this thumbnail piece. Most of them are lightly damaged at their termination tips, but a few are intact and in pristine condition. The largest of these crystals is 1" (2.5 cm) long and has a tiny spot of damage on its termination tip. It has the best hexagonal prismatic form in the cluster, however, with a plethora of primary, secondary, and possibly tertiary faces and excellent symmetry. All have a deep orange coloration and a bright pearly-to-vitreous luster, and are transparent and quite clear. The other crystals have short prism lengths and are not as symmetrical, but still have good form. Being laboratory-grown, there is no base or host rock present.
zic-7 ($ 63.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-8
$ 55.00
$ 55.00
Dims: 2.3 x 1.0 x 0.9" (5.7 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm)
Wt: 0.5 oz. (13 g)
unknown (lab created)
This small cabinet piece consists of a cluster of laboratory-grown Zincite crystals. These crystals are in generally good condition, showing light damage mostly on their termination tips. The largest crystal is likewise damaged, and measures over 2" (5 cm) long. All have excellent hexagonal prismatic form - the symmetry of the largest crystal is particularly good - and color that ranges from pale yellow to a deep brown-orange. Their luster is adamantine and all are transparent and very clear. Given their growing environment, there is no base or host rock present.
zic-8 ($ 55.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-9
$ 45.00
$ 45.00
Dims: 2.4 x 0.5 x 0.2" (6.0 x 1.3 x 0.6 cm)
Wt: 0.3 oz. (9 g)
unknown (lab created)
This rather strange hand specimen consists of two incomplete, intersecting Zincite crystals. These crystals are only in fair condition, due to their lack of completeness and obvious breakage on the smaller one. Their form is also quite warped, not showing any hexagonal tendencies and almost no overall symmetry. Their color ranges from orange to yellow to pale brown all in the same crystal, and all have the standard adamantine luster. They are also transparent and very clear. There is no base or host rock, of course.
zic-9 ($ 45.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-10
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.6" (2.1 x 1.9 x 1.4 cm)
Wt: 0.3 oz. (8 g)
unknown (lab created)
A section of a single Zincite crystal makes up this thumbnail piece. It is in poor condition, as it is broken on each end and all projections and the one intersecting crystal are also broken and incomplete. Where intact, however, the main crystal piece shows exceptional hexagonal prismatic form and a cross-section with splendid symmetry. It has an orange color and the standard adamantine luster, and is transparent and very clear. No base or host material is present.
zic-10 ($ 40.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-11
$ 52.00
$ 52.00
Dims: 2.0 x 1.1 x 0.6" (5.0 x 2.7 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 0.6 oz. (16 g)
unknown (lab created)
Two intersecting Zincite crystals make up this specimen. These crystals are both damaged and incomplete, though the larger one is missing only a small amount of material. It has dimensions of 2.0 x 0.4 x 0.4" (5.0 x 1.0 x 0.9 cm) and shows very good hexagonal prismatic form, though its prism faces are each slightly curved; the other crystal has badly warped form. They range in color from pale yellow to deep orange with a hint of brown, and their luster is adamantine. Both are transparent and moderately to very clear.
zic-11 ($ 52.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-12
$ 35.00
$ 35.00
Dims: 1.6 x 0.5 x 0.3" (4.2 x 1.3 x 0.7 cm)
Wt: 0.2 oz. (6 g)
unknown (lab created)
This small hand specimen consists of 3 intersecting Zincite crystals. These crystals are in very good condition, showing minor damage. The largest serves as the base for the other two, and has dimensions of 1.6 x 0.2 x 0.2" (4.2 x 0.6 x 0.5 cm). All of them have excellent hexagonal prismatic form, though one has an interesting offshoot from its termination. The two smaller crystals have a yellow color with a hint of green, and the larger crystal shares that color at one end; however, it changes color along its length to a darker orange-brown at the other end. All have the standard adamantine luster and are transparent and very clear. There is no base or host rock, of course.
zic-12 ($ 35.00)
unknown (lab created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-13
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims:2.6x1.5x0.5" (6.6x1.5x1.3 cm)
Wt: 0.4oz. (11g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
This specimen consists of a single long terminated crystal with "offspring" crystals growing from the sides and base. The color is a dark reddish amber. The small crystals growing on the sides of the main crystal are broken, but the crystal at the base of the specimen has an absolutely perfect termination.
zic-13 ($ 50.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-14
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
Dims:2.9x2.6x0.9" (7.4x6.6x2.3 cm)
Wt: 3.8oz. (108g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
This is an absolutely wonderful specimen of zincite, showing at least two stages of crystallization. The base of the specimen is a growth of small, dark amber colored crystals. On top of this base layer is a layer of very pale crystals. Some are completely colorless. Also, I can find no damaged crystals on this specimen. I believe this to be the best zincite in terms of beauty that we have ever had on our website.
zic-14 ($100.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-15
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims:1.7x1.2x0.7" (4.3x3.0x1.8 cm)
Wt: 0.5oz. (14g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
This specimen consists of a lovely cluster of zincite crystals. These crystals are a dark amber in color. The largest crystal reaches 0.6" (1.5cm). Three of the crystals have broken tips, but this is generally not noticable. All in all, this is a beautiful miniature-size specimen.
zic-15 ($ 50.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-16
$ 150.00
$ 150.00
Dims:3.5x3.0x2.1" (8.9x7.6x5.3 cm)
Wt: 24.3oz. (689g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
This is another eye-catching specimen of zincite. The crystals on this specimen are extremely small, and the growth of the crystal structure is similar to that of coral. A chalky white to yellow coating can be seen on the bottom and back of this specimen; perhaps this is the material these crystals were grown from. At any rate, it does not detract from the specimen proper-it might actually add to the beauty of this piece.
zic-16 ($150.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-17
$ 400.00
$ 400.00
Dims:5.5x5.0x4.7" (14.0x12.7x11.9 cm)
Wt: 19.0oz. (538g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
It terms of shear size, this specimen of zincite is incredible. The specimen is a cluster of large (and small) crystals growing on some sort of matrix material. The largest crystal is 2.7x0.3" (6.9x0.8cm)!! That is an extremely large crystal for zincite, whether natural or manmade. There are a number of damaged crystals on this specimen; however, one has to look closely to notice them. The crystal color on this specimen ranges from near colorless to a dark amber color. This specimen is very impressive.
zic-17 ($400.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-18
$ 200.00
$ 200.00
Dims:4.4x3.2x3.0" (11.2x8.1x7.6 cm)
Wt: 17.8oz. (506g)
Unknown (laboratory created)
This is a complex specimen of zincite. Both large and small crystals merge together in layers so that the overall effect is that of a decorated Christmas tree. The bottom of the specimen is coated with a chalky white substance that I believe is the material from which the crystals were grown. This piece shows lots of sparkle! The color on this specimen ranges from a creamy white near the bottom to a silvery green on top. There is no readily discernable damage to this specimen.
zic-18 ($200.00)
Unknown (laboratory created)
ZINCITE specimen zic-19
$ 75.00
$ 75.00
Dims: 4.53x2.32x2.56" (11.5x5.9x6.4cm)
Wt: 1.5 lbs. (680g)
Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, USA
This specimen is essentially a few large crystals of zincite, completely entoumbed within calcite. The zincite crystals are deep red and transparent, although the surface (no natural crystal surfaces are exposed) is rough enough that it looks opaque unless viewed with a loupe. Under a short-wave UV lamp, the calcite glows a bright orange, and several thin veins and a patch of bright green reveal the presence of willemite. There may be a couple of franklenite crystals present, as well.
zic-19 ($ 75.00)
Sterling Hill, Ogdensburg, New Jersey, USA