description Zincite Overview
Zincite is zinc oxide (ZnO), a hexagonal mineral with a hardness of about 4 and colors that include red, orange, yellow, white, and rarely green. Natural crystals are associated particularly with the Franklin and Sterling Hill deposits in Sussex County, New Jersey, while similar material from Polish zinc smelters is commonly synthetic or industrially formed rather than geological. Zincite is both a zinc ore mineral and a collector material, and collectors distinguish natural crystals from smelter-grown material. [Mindat](https://www.mindat.org/min-4410.html)
help Zincite FAQ
What is zincite?
Zincite is zinc oxide, with the chemical formula ZnO. It is a hexagonal mineral with a hardness of about 4 on the Mohs scale.
What colors can zincite be?
Zincite can be red, orange, yellow, or white, and green crystals are rare. Color depends on the mineral's composition and formation conditions.
Where is natural zincite found?
Natural zincite is particularly associated with the Franklin and Sterling Hill deposits in Sussex County, New Jersey. Much bright red or orange material from these localities is prized by mineral collectors.
Is zincite a durable gemstone for everyday jewelry?
Zincite's hardness is only about 4, so it scratches more easily than quartz or corundum. It is better suited to protected jewelry or mineral collections than to rings exposed to daily wear.
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