Article
Article
Willemite
Article By:
Hurlbut, Cornelius S., Jr. Department of Geological Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.746000
A nesosilicate mineral, composition Zn2SiO4, crystallizing in the hexagonal system. It is usually massive or granular with a vitreous luster; crystals are rare. The mineral has a basal cleavage and may be variously colored, most commonly green, red, or brown. Hardness is on Mohs scale; specific gravity is 3.9–4.2. Willemite forms a valuable ore of zinc at Franklin, New Jersey. At this famous zinc deposit willemite fluoresces a yellow-green and is found in crystalline limestone associated with franklinite, zincite, and many other rarer minerals. With the exception of the occurrence in New Jersey, willemite is a rare mineral. See also: Silicate minerals
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