Hemimorphite

Hemimorphite is a hydrous zinc silicate that produces fan-shaped tabular crystals and can take on botryoidal forms. Other times it’s seen as a ”coating” on another rock. When this happens it can be very bubbly and cover a majority of the rock. The color of Hemimorphite most commonly seen is a beautiful blue, to light blue color. It also appears as green, white, yellow, brown, grey, and even colorless.

This mineral was first recorded back in 1853 by a man named A. Kenngott, and was named after the crystal morphology of symmetry. Hemimorphite is believed to have been around since the 18th century and was actually referred to as “Electric Calamine”. A common belief in ancient times was Hemimorphite’s ability to ward off poisoning, negativity, hatred, and malice. One was urged to carry a piece when going into unsettling environments.

A beautiful and certainly uncommon blue color Hemimorphite is from the renowned copper deposit at Kimbedi in Republic of Congo. The important aspect of this Hemimorphite is the fact that it is not opaque, but actually somewhat gemmy/translucent with excellent sparkling luster. The blue color is due to copper content in the Hemimorphite, but in such a concentration that it creates a notably RICH blue shade. Minor white crystals of Cerussite can be seen, and the contrasting reddish-brown gossan matrix makes for a very appealling specimen visually. Our material is from the Kimbedi, Mindouli District, Pool Department, Republic of the Congo