Home > Mexico III Ojuela I – January 12 > MS1734 Hydrozincite in Calcite

Hydrozincite in Calcite - Sold


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.