Home > Mexico IV Ojuela II – January 19 > MS1744 Willemite pseudomorphs

Willemite pseudomorphs - Sold


Willemite is simple zinc silicate, with the same crystal structure as phenakite. The mineral name honors King Willem I of the Netherlands (1772-1843), whose reign spanned 1815 to 1840 (Levy, 1830).

Willemite forms stellate aggregates to 3 mm of fine crystals. These aggregates appear pseudomorphous after a bladed mineral; likely precursors are hemimorphite and aurichalcite, both of which occur in this assemblage. Calcite cleavages to 1.4 cm are also present. Found 2009 alongside spectacular aurichalcite in calcite specimens. A rare species at Ojuela.