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Zincite - Natural and Synthetic
By Sonia Acone
Zincite, a mineral that is essentially zinc oxide, is a very rare occurrence in its natural state. It is a deep red color, due to traces of manganese. However, if impurities such as manganese or iron, in some cases, are not present, zincite will appear colorless. It is most often found in masses together with Franklinite (a black iron, zinc & manganese oxide) or Willemite (a pale green zinc silicate) on a matrix of White Calcite. The only large deposits of natural zincite can be found in the Franklin and Sterling Hill mines of New Jersey, although there are much smaller deposits located in Spain, Poland and Tasmania.
Natural zincite crystals are extremely small (no more than 6 mm) and most of the crystals found on the market today are synthetic. They may be produced through hydrothermal methods (which often produce small yellow crystals) or, as is the case with much of the synthetic zincite on the market, as a by-product of the melting of zinc ore to produce the metal necessary to make zinc based paint. Poland is one of the few locations in the world that produces this type of synthetic zincite.
The synthetic zincite that is derived from the smelting process occurs when zinc becomes vaporized in the kiln, mixes with oxygen in the stack and, in turn, crystallizes in the ventilation shafts of the smelters. Voila! Zincite is produced. And this type of zincite still has the same chemical composition as its natural counterpart.
For metaphysical information on zincite, see this article: https://www.healingcrystals.com/Zincite_Articles_2113.html
Bibliography
Zincite. UKFGC Faceters’ Stonechat, Nov-Dec.2003., Issue No.52. Reproduced with permission on the All That Glitters website: http://www.atggems.com/Zincite_Facetor_Chat_Newsletter.htm
Zincite Information/Data: http://www.webmineral.com/data/Zincite.shtml#.U8_B57H4LDZ
The Mineral Zincite. http://www.minerals.net/mineral/zincite.aspx
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