Willemite
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| Willemite | |
|---|---|
 Willemite with franklinite from New Jersey
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| General | |
| Category | Mineral |
| Chemical formula | Zinc silicate (Zn2SiO4) |
| Identification | |
| Color | Blue to Green |
| Crystal system | Rhombohedral |
| Cleavage | {010}, {100} - imperfect |
| Fracture | Uneven, Conchoidal |
| Mohs Scale hardness | 5.5 |
| Luster | Vitreous - Resinous |
| Specific gravity | 3.9 - 4.2 |
Willemite is a zinc silicate (Zn2SiO4) and a minor ore of zinc. It is highly fluorescent (green) under shortwave ultraviolet light. It occurs in all different colors in daylight, in fibrous masses, solid brown masses ("troostite"), and apple green gemmy masses. Willemite is usually formed as an alteration of previously existing sphalerite ore bodies, and is usually associated with limestone. It occurs in many places, but is best known from Arizona and the world famous zinc, iron, manganese deposits at Franklin Furnace, New Jersey. It often occurs with red zincite (zinc oxide) and franklinite (Fe,Mn,Zn)(Fe,Mn)2O4 (an iron rich zinc mineral occurring in sharp black isometric octahedral crystals and masses). Franklinite and zincite are not fluorescent.
It was discovered in 1830 and named after William I of the Netherlands.
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