Zincite

Zincite, also known under the outdated, mining designation Rotzinkerz, is a rarely occurring mineral from the mineral class of oxides ( and hydroxides ). It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system with the chemical composition of ZnO and chemical point of view so that zinc oxide. Naturally occurring Zinkit but always contains small foreign admixtures of manganese (up 9%) and / or iron so that its formula depending on the source (Zn, Mn), with O or (Zn, Mn 2 , Fe 2 ) O is given.

Zincite usually develops granular to massive aggregates, rarely pyramidal crystals of yellow to orange-red color and greasy luster to diamantenem.

Etymology and history

Zincite 1845 was first described by Wilhelm Ritter von Haidinger. Received its name due to its high mineral zinc shareholding of over 73%.

Classification

In the old classification of minerals according to Strunz ( 8th edition ) of the zincite still belongs to the department of " oxides with the ( approximate molar ratio ) Metal: Oxygen = 2: 1 and 1: 1". Since the new classification of minerals according to Strunz ( 9th edition ), however, this department is finer subdivided according to the exact molar ratio and the size of the cations involved and the zincite now finds itself accordingly in the subdivision of " oxides with the molar ratio of metal: oxygen = 1: 1 and 1: 1.25, and only small to medium-sized cations ".

The strict sorted according to the crystal structure, classification of minerals according to Dana assigns a Zinkit together with Bromellite in the unnamed group 04:02:02 the Department of "simple oxides with a cation charge of 2 ( AO) ".

Education and Locations

Zincite is caused by the so-called contact metamorphism, which means through a series of chemical and physical processes that occur when hot magmatic melts ascend and cause by the heat effect a transformation of the surrounding rocks. Which rocks are formed in this process depends upon the composition of the massecuite and the nature of the rock concerned.

So far, Zincite was unlocked at the following localities: Western Australia in Australia; Liege ( Plombières ), Limburg ( Dilsen- Stokkem ) and Namur ( Andenne ) in Belgium; Oblast Haskovo in Bulgaria; Hesse ( Richelsdorf ), Lower Saxony ( district of Goslar ), North Rhine -Westphalia (Aachen, Sauerland), Rhineland -Palatinate ( Lahn Valley, winner of the country) and Saxony (Erzgebirge) in Germany; Attica in Greece; East Azarbaijan in Iran; Liguria, Lombardy, Sardinia and Tuscany in Italy; Buskerud in Norway; Katanga in the Congo; Gmünd in Carinthia, Anna (Lower Austria ) and Oeblarn / Styria in Austria; Eastern Siberia in Russia; Dalarna in Sweden; Košice in Slovakia; Bohemia in the Czech Republic; as well as Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Utah and Virginia.

Morphology

Zincite developed in nature rarely well -formed crystals with preferred growing crystal faces, and. The crystal bodies are hemimorphic, that is, they indicate the two ends of the c- axis has a different surface development.

Crystal structure

Zincite crystallizes isotypic with the hexagonal wurtzite crystal system in the space group P 63mc with the lattice parameters a = 3.249 Å and c = 5.207 Å and two formula units per unit cell.

Use

Zincite is used at local accumulation as a zinc ore. Particularly well known for a rich deposits of zincite are the zinc and manganese mines of Sterling Hill in Ogdensburg and Mine Hill in Franklin (New Jersey). Rarely are Zinkite good quality also as a gemstone, mainly sanded for sale to collectors.