For years, hemimorphite has been considered as a minor ore of zinc. It's a popular collectors item because of its distinctive forms and array of colours. Blue hemimorphite specimens are the most sought after. They make stunning cabochon pieces, beads, and tumbled stones.
In crystal healing, hemimorphite is used to improve communication and energize the crown, third eye, and heart chakras.
The Physical Properties of Hemimorphite
Hemimorphite is a zinc silicate mineral that usually occurs as flattened prismatic and tabular crystals, although it has various crystal habits. It can also occur as a bubbly coating on another rock. Transparent to translucent hemimorphite often has a vibrant blue to teal blue colour. But it can also appear as brown, gray, white, green, and even colourless.
One of the identifying characteristics of a hemimorphite crystal is its terminations have different shapes. One end is blunt and has a single face, while the other has a pointed and pyramidal shape.
It is a relatively soft mineral with a hardness rating of 4.5 to 5. It's also brittle and has a perfect cleavage, meaning it can break easily. Due to its fragility, the use of hemimorphite in jewellery is limited to pendants, pins, earrings, and other pieces that are not usually exposed to abrasion or impact.
Hemimorphite jewellery and polished stones must be stored in cushioned containers to prevent scratching and breakage. Store them separately from harder stones like quartz.
The History of Hemimorphite
Hemimorphite has been discovered hundreds of years ago in zinc deposits. But it was always thought of as a variety of turquoise, chrysocolla, smithsonite, or calamine. It was only in 1803 that mineralogist James Smithson distinguished it as a mineral of its own.
In 1853, another mineralogist in the name of Gustav Adolph Kenngott gave the mineral its own name. Hemimorphite comes from two Greek words hemi (half) and morph (shape), alluding to the different shapes of a hemimorphite crystal.
The mineral is found in different locations around the world, but most mines only produce microcrystals. Countries known for fine hemimorphite specimens are Belgium, France, Greece, China, Mexico, and the USA.
The Lore of Hemimorphite
The mineral is believed to have the ability to treat hormonal headache and ulcer. And as a stone brimming with positive energy, it is thought to aid weight loss.
The Metaphysical Properties of Hemimorphite
Hemimorphite promotes empathy and compassion ” two traits necessary for proper and humane communication. It helps you convey your feelings to a person and regulate your emotions.
It instills higher knowledge and wisdom which helps you understand messages from the spiritual realm. It will remove doubt, fear, worry, and anxiety in your life so you can reach your full potential.
This mineral is also a rich source of energy and motivation. When you need to complete a crucial task and increase your productivity, use hemimorphite. It will help sharpen your concentration and give you the dose of creativity and inspiration to accomplish your work.
As a meditation tool, hemimorphite can tune out all distractions around you. This will allow you to pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Hemimorphite's vibration will widen your perspective. If you need to be in sync with your spirit, meditate with this stone. Use it together with kyanite to ramp up your spiritual growth.
Sources:
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Hemimorphite Meanings and Crystal Properties. (n.d.). The Crystal Council. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://thecrystalcouncil.com/crystals/hemimorphiteHemimorphite: The mineral hemimorphite information and pictures. (n.d.). Minerals.Net. Retrieved April 15, 2022, from https://www.minerals.net/mineral/hemimorphite.aspx
Hemimorphite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information. (2021, October 15). International Gem Society. Retrieved April 14, 2022, from https://www.gemsociety.org/article/hemimorphite-jewelry-and-gemstone-information/
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