HEMIMORPHITE SPECIMENS

Hemimorphite is a basic hydrous zinc silicate with the chemical composition Zn4Si2O7(OH)2 · H2O. It earned its name from the Greek roots for the structure of which the crystals form. It has two different terminations on each side of the crystal, hence the inclusion of the Greek terms "hemi", meaning half, and "morph", meaning shape. The crystal formations can range anywhere from crystal druze or botryoidal formations to radiating acicular crystals and more. Hemimorphite can be colored white, beige, light brown, and blue. On rare occasions, yellow and green crystals have been found!

Prior to 1803, hemimorphite and smithsonite were thought to be the same mineral, called "calamine". However, following further scientific research, they were reclassified as two distinct minerals.