Home > Mexico III Ojuela I – January 12 > MS1734 Hydrozincite in Calcite
Hydrozincite in Calcite - Sold
- Mina Ojuela
- Mapimí
- Durango
- Mexico
- 5.0 × 4.0 × 2.1 cm – Miniature specimen (fits into a 5 cm cube)
Hydrozincite is a hydrous zinc carbonate mineral, named for its composition (Kenngott, 1853). Hydrozincite is widespread globally, easily recognized by its characteristic (or perhaps intrinsic?) blue-white fluorescence under shortwave UV illumination.
In this modest specimen, hydrozincite includes colorless calcite crystals. Since hydrozincite forms fine needles which are especially fragile, this is a good example of the species protected by calcite overgrowth. This specimen is like a layer cake, with cake-like gossan alternating with hydrozincite-calcite frosting. This specimen was part of the Charles Trantham (1936-2020) estate.