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Zinc

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Big Photo

Bagui village, Bafing river, Guinea
© Pavel M. Kartashov

Show Zinc Photos (3)



Formula:
Zn
System:HexagonalColour: White metallic
Lustre:MetallicHardness:2
Name:Named around 1526 by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus (1493-1541) after the German "Zinke", "pointy object, fork tooth, comb tooth", in allusion to its pointy habit in melting ovens.


Zinc Group

As mm-sized irregular plates with cross hatched striations and hummocky surfaces.

Classification of Zinc

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:1/A.04-10
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:1.AB.05

1 : ELEMENTS (Metals and intermetallic alloys; metalloids and nonmetals; carbides, silicides, nitrides, phosphides)
A : Metals and Intermetallic Alloys
B : Zinc-brass family
Dana 7th edition ID:1.1.8.1
Dana 8th edition ID:1.1.5.1

1 : NATIVE ELEMENTS AND ALLOYS
1 : Metals, other than the Platinum Group
Hey's CIM Ref.:1.8

1 : Elements and Alloys (including the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au)
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Type Occurrence of Zinc

Type Locality:Dulcinea de Llampos Mine, Cachiyuyo de Llampos district, Copiapó Province, Atacama Region, Chile
Year of Discovery:1651

Occurrences of Zinc

Geological Setting:In permafrost at Elsa Mine

Physical Properties of Zinc

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour: White metallic
Streak:Slightly greyish
Hardness (Mohs):2
Hardness Data:Measured
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Perfect
perfect on 0001
Fracture:Hackly
Density (measured):6.9 - 7.2 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.135 g/cm3

Crystallography of Zinc

Crystal System:Hexagonal
Class (H-M):6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
Space Group:P63/mmc {P63/m 2/m 2/c}
Cell Parameters:a = 2.665Å, c = 4.947Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 1.856
Unit Cell Volume:V 30.43 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:2

Chemical Properties of Zinc

Formula:
Zn
Essential elements:Zn
All elements listed in formula:Zn
Analytical Data:Combined x-ray fluorescence and spectrographic analyses on Elsa mine material gave:
Zn ~90%; Sn,Pb,Cd ~10%; Fe,Mn,B,Si,Cu,Ag,Ba,Ca trace
Empirical Formula:
Zn
Common Impurities:Sn,Pb,Cd,Fe,Mn,B,Si,Cu,Ag,Ca,Ba

Relationship of Zinc to other Species

Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
1.AB.05Cadmium
Cd
1.AB.05Rhenium
Re
1.AB.05Titanium
Ti
1.AB.10bDanbaite
CuZn
 
2
1.AB.10aZhanghengite
CuZn
1.AB.10aBrass
Cu
 
3
Zn
1.AB.10bTongxinite
Cu
 
2
Zn
1.AB.10aZinccopperite
Cu
 
7
Zn
 
4
 (?)
1.AB.10UM2003-03-E:AgAuCuZn
(Cu,Au,Ag)
 
4
Zn
1.AB.10UM1980-01-E:CuZn
Cu
 
3
Zn
1.AB.10UM1980-02-E:CuZn
Cu
 
4.45
Zn
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
1.1Copper
Cu
1.2Silver
Ag
1.5Gold
Au
1.6Auricupride
Cu
 
3
Au
1.7Tetra-auricupride
AuCu
1.9Cadmium
Cd
1.10Danbaite
CuZn
 
2
1.11Zhanghengite
CuZn
1.12Mercury
Hg
1.13Kolymite
Cu
 
7
Hg
 
6
1.14Moschellandsbergite
Ag
 
2
Hg
 
3
1.15Eugenite
Ag
 
11
Hg
 
2
1.16Schachnerite
Ag
 
1.1
Hg
 
0.9
1.17Paraschachnerite
Ag
 
3
Hg
 
2
1.18Luanheite
Ag
 
3
Hg
1.19Weishanite
(Au,Ag)
 
3
Hg
 
2
1.20Indium
In
1.21Aluminium
Al
1.22Khatyrkite
(Cu,Zn)Al
 
2
1.23Cupalite
(Cu,Zn)Al
1.24Diamond
C
1.25Graphite
C
1.26Chaoite
C
1.27Lonsdaleite
C
1.28Silicon
Si
1.29Tin
Sn
1.30Lead
Pb
1.31Anyuiite
Au(Pb,Sb)
 
2
1.31Novodneprite
AuPb
 
3
1.32Leadamalgam
Pb
 
0.7
Hg
 
0.3
1.33Arsenic
As
1.34Arsenolamprite
As
1.35Paxite
CuAs
 
2
1.36Koutekite
Cu
 
5
As
 
2
1.37Domeykite
Cu
 
3
As
1.38Algodonite
(Cu
 
1-x
As
 
x
)
1.39Novakite
Cu
 
20
AgAs
 
10
1.40Kutinaite
Cu
 
2
AgAs
1.41Antimony
Sb
1.42Stibarsen
AsSb
1.43Paradocrasite
Sb
 
3
As
1.44Horsfordite
Cu, Sb
1.45Cuprostibite
Cu
 
2
(Sb,Tl)
1.46Allargentum
(Ag
 
1-x
Sb
 
x
)
1.47Aurostibite
AuSb
 
2
1.48Dyscrasite
Ag
 
3
Sb
1.49Bismuth
Bi
1.50Maldonite
Au
 
2
Bi
1.51Sulphur
S
 
8
1.52Rosickýite
S
1.53Selenium
Se
1.54Tellurium
Te
1.55Chromium
Cr
1.56Rhenium
Re
1.57Iron
Fe
1.58Chromferide
Fe
 
3
Cr
 
1-x
 (x=0.6)
1.59Ferchromide
Cr
 
1.5
Fe
 
0.5-x
1.60Wairauite
CoFe
1.61Nickel
Ni
1.62Kamacite
(Fe,Ni)
1.63Taenite
(Fe,Ni)
1.64Tetrataenite
FeNi
1.65Awaruite
Ni
 
3
Fe
1.66Palladium
(Pd,Pt)
1.67Potarite
PdHg
1.68Paolovite
Pd
 
2
Sn
1.69Stannopalladinite
(Pd,Cu)
 
3
Sn
 
2
1.70Cabriite
Pd
 
2
CuSn
1.71Taimyrite-I
(Pd,Cu,Pt)
 
3
Sn
1.72Atokite
(Pd,Pt)
 
3
Sn
1.73Rustenburgite
(Pt,Pd)
 
3
Sn
1.74Zvyagintsevite
(Pd,Pt,Au)
 
3
(Pb,Sn)
1.75Plumbopalladinite
Pd
 
3
Pb
 
2
1.76Osmium
(Os,Ir,Ru)
1.77Iridium
(Ir,Os,Ru)
1.82Platinum
Pt
1.83Hongshiite
PtCu
1.84Niggliite
PtSn
1.85Isoferroplatinum
Pt
 
3
Fe
1.86Tetraferroplatinum
PtFe
1.87Tulameenite
Pt
 
2
CuFe
1.88Ferronickelplatinum
Pt
 
2
FeNi
1.89Rhodium
(Rh,Pt)

Other Names for Zinc

Synonyms:
Native Zinc
Other Languages:
French:Zinc
German:Zink
Italian:Zinco
Russian:Цинк
Simplified Chinese:自然锌

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:none
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:Galvanising

References for Zinc

Reference List:

- +
Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Seventh edition, Volume I: 127-128.

American Mineralogist (1970): 55: 1019.

Transactions of the Philosophical Institute of Victoria: 1: 156-158.

National Bureau of Standards (U.S.) Circular 359: 11-195.

Internet Links for Zinc

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    • Localities for Zinc

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Atlantic Ocean
     
    • Mid-Atlantic Ridge complex
      • Sierra Leone fracture zone
        • Markov Deep
    		Sharkov, E.V., Abramov, S.S., Simonov, V.A., Krinov, D.I., Skolotnev, S.G., Bel’tenev, V.E., and Bortnikov, N.S. (2007): Geology of Ore Deposits 49(6), 467-486.
    Australia
     
    • Tasmania
      • Rosebery district
    		Bottrill & Baker in press - Catalogue of Minerals of Tasmania
    • Victoria
      • Brunswick
    		Aust Jnl Mineralogy 7(1) 2001
    • Western Australia
      • Meekatharra Shire
        • Peak Hill Goldfield
    		Thompson, 2012. Min Soc WA Newsletter
    Austria
     
    • Tyrol
      • North Tyrol
        • Inn valley
          • Brixlegg - Schwaz area
            • Brixlegg - Rattenberg
              • St Gertraudi
    		Lapis 19 (7/8):69 (1994)
    • Upper Austria
      • Kirchdorf an der Krems
    		- O.M.Friedrich, in: Zur Erzlagerstättenkarte der Ostalpen (mit Karte 1:500.000). Radex - Rundschau, 7 / 8, Radenthein 1953, Seite 371 – 407.
    Belgium
     
    • Liège Province
      • Verviers
        • Plombières-Vieille Montagne District (Plombières-Altenberg)
          • Plombières (Bleyberg)
    		Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995b): Neufunde von Schlackenhalden in der nördlichen Eifel (II). Mineralien-Welt, 6 (3), 28-31.
    • Limburg Province
      • Dilsen-Stokkem
    Canada
     
    • Newfoundland and Labrador
      • Newfoundland
        • Baie Verte Peninsula
    		Christian Bracke Collection
    • Yukon Territory
      • Mayo Mining District
    		Sabina (1992) gsc mr 50, 80-84
          • Elsa
    		Boyle, R. W. (1961): Native zinc at Keno Hill. Can. Mineral. 6, 692-694.
    Sabina (1992) GSC MP 50, 80-84
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
        • Cachiyuyo de Llampos district
    		Am Min 55:5-6 pp 1019-1021
    China
     
    • Guizhou Province
      • Qianxi'nan Autonomous Prefecture
        • Anlong Co.
    		Peters, S.G., Huang Jiazhan, Li Zhiping, and Jing Chenggui (2007): Ore Geology Reviews 31, 170-204.
    • Hebei Province
      • Chengde Prefecture
        • Luan River valley (Luanhe valley)
    		Shao Dianxin, Zhou Jianxiong, Zhang Jianhong, and Bao Daxi (1984): Acta Mineralogica Sinica 4, 97-101.
    • Henan Province
      • Pingdingshan Prefecture
        • Wugang Co.
    		Xingjie Jia, Huaiqian Li, and Honglu Zheng (2012): Gold Science and Technology 20(2), 25-31
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Shannan Prefecture (Lhokha Prefecture; Lhoka Prefecture)
        • Qusum Co. (Qusong Co.)
    		Wenji Bai, Jingsui Yang, Qingsong Fang, Binggan Yan, and Zhongming Zhang (2001): Earth Science Frontiers 8(3), 111-121
    • Xinjiang Autonomous Region
      • Yili Hasake Autonomous Prefecture (Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture)
        • Aletai Prefecture (Altay Prefecture)
          • Fuyun Co. (Koktokay Co.)
    		Minqing Cheng, Yuchun Yang, Fuyi Jia, Qingshan Yang, Guifang Zhao, Cunchang Wang, and Sen Huang (1993): Geology and Prospecting 29(7), 35-39
    • Yunnan Province
      • Lijiang Prefecture
        • Gucheng District
    		Zhaochong Zhang, Jingwen Mao, Fusheng Wang, and Pirajno, F. (2006): American Mineralogist 91(7), 1178-1183.
    Finland
     
    • Eastern Finland Region
      • Outokumpu Cu-Co-Zn-Ni-Ag-Au ore field
    Georgia
    Am.Min. 66,439(1981)
    Germany
     
    • Hesse
      • Frankfurt
    		Blessing,C. & Pock,R. (1991). Mineralbildungen in Schlacken auf dem Gelände der ehemaligen Kupferwerke in Frankfurt/M-Heddernheim. Aufschluss, Jg.42, Nr.6, S.339-57
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz
    		Schnorrer-Köhler, G. (1988): Mineralogische Notizen IV. Der Aufschluss, 39, 153-168.
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Aachen
        • Stolberg
    		Blaß, G. & Graf, H. W. (1995): Neufunde von Schlackenhalden in der nördlichen Eifel (II). Mineralien-Welt, 6 (3), 28-31.
      • Sauerland
        • Arnsberg
          • Hüsten
    		D. Pawlowski: "Mineralfundstellen im Sauerland", Weise (Munich), 1991
    Guinea
     
    • Bafing river
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Italy
     
    • Trentino-Alto Adige
      • Trento Province
        • Lagorai Group
          • Telve
    		Exel, R. (1987): Guida mineralogica del Trentino e del Sudtirolo. Athesia, Bolzano, 204 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kanto Region
        • Kanagawa Prefecture
    		Nishida, et al (1994) Naturwissenschaften, 81, 498-502.
    • Tokyo Prefecture
      • Izu Archipelago
    		Nishida, et al (1994) Naturwissenschaften, 81, 498-502.
    Kazakhstan
    No reference listed
    • Southern Kazakhstan Province (Ongtüstik Qazaqstan Oblysy; Yuzhno-Kazakhstanskaya Oblast')
    		Tony Nikischer; Tony Nikischer
    Mongolia
     
    • Hovd Aimag (Khovd Aimag)
      • Altai Mts
    		P.M. Kartashov data
    Norway
     
    • Sør-Trøndelag
      • Rissa
    		Selbekk R.S. (2010): Norges mineraler. En revidert utgave av Norges mineraler (Neumann 1985).Tapir-NGU-NHM. 552p. (p.25)
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Saha Republic (Sakha Republic; Yakutia)
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
        • Vilyui River Basin (Vilui River Basin; Wilui River Basin)
          • Lower Khann'ya River
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    • Far-Eastern Region
      • Kamchatka Oblast'
        • Bezymyannyi Volcano
    		No reference listed
        • Koryak Mts
    		[MinRec 31:201]
    Active Volcanoes of Kamchatka, vol 2, p 140, S.A. Fedotov
      • Magadanskaya Oblast'
        • Kolyma River Basin
          • Ducat District
            • Omsukchan
    		Filimonova, L.G., and Trubkin, N.V. (2008): Geology of Ore Deposits 50(2), 135-144.
    Geologiya Rudnykh Mestorozhdenii, 2008, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 153–163.
    • Northern Caucasus Region
      • Kabardino-Balkarian Republic
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990
    • Urals Region
      • Southern Urals
        • Bashkortostan (Bashkiria) Republic
          • Uchaly
    		http://forum.catalogmineralov.ru/index.php/topic,23795.75.html
    The Moon
     
    • Mare Crisium
    		Mokhov A.V., Kartashov P.M., Bogatikov O.A. (2007) Moon under a microscope, - Moscow, Nauka, p.128 (in Rus.).
    USA
     
    • California
      • Shasta Co.
        • Klamath Mts
          • East Shasta Copper - Zinc District
            • Round Mountain
    		Fairbanks, Harold W. (1893), Geology and mineralogy of Shasta County, California: California Mining Bureau. Report 11: 30; Murdoch, Joseph & Robert W. Webb (1966), Minerals of California, Centennial Volume (1866-1966): California Division Mines & Geology Bulletin 189: 391.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2013. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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