Hemimorphite is widely sought after by collectors for its vibrant, electric blue botryoidal habits, often found in oxidized zones of zinc deposits. It is distinct for its hemimorphic crystal development, where the crystal ends are physically and electrically different from each other. It is best displayed as colorful, crust-like aggregates or delicate radiating crystal sprays.
Is this hemimorphite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch hemimorphite with a known reference. Hemimorphite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hemimorphite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Hemimorphite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, blue, green, brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: botryoidal, crusts, fan-shaped clusters, acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Hemimorphite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Prehnite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. 4.5-5).
How to tell apart: Hemimorphite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4.5-5 vs. 3-3.5); luster reads vitreous on Hemimorphite and adamantine on Cerussite.
Often found alongside hemimorphite
Minerals reported to co-occur with hemimorphite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Zn₄Si₂O₇(OH)₂·H₂O
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 3.4-3.5 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Botryoidal, Crusts, Fan-shaped Clusters, Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Fluorescence
- Often Light Green Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative, Minor Zinc Ore
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Zinc Deposits
- Typical price
- $5-50 thumbnail, $50-300 cabinet
Where rockhounds find hemimorphite
1 mapped spotsClassic worldwide localities
- Mexico
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- China
- USA
- Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of zinc deposits country — that is the host setting where hemimorphite typically forms. If you start seeing smithsonite, aurichalcite, calcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a botryoidal, crusts, fan-shaped clusters, acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Missouri — start trip planning there.
Common questions
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Find hemimorphite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
