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Home > Wurtzite

Wurtzite

Photo By Andrew Silver, USGS

Wurtzite

Wurtzite

Wurtzite

Wurtzite

Wurtzite

A species of Wurtzite Group, Also known as Hurlburtite (of Gagarin and Cuomo), Lederblende

Wurtzite is a reddish-brown mineral found in hydrothermal conditions that are rich in zinc as well as in some sedimentary rocks. Wurtzite is a dimorph of sphalerite, meaning that their composition is the same but the way they form crystals is different. Wurtzite was discovered in 1861 and is named after the French chemist, Charles Adolphe Wurtz.

Hardness:

3.5 - 4

Density:

4.09 g/cm³

General Info About Wurtzite

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Physical Properties of Wurtzite

Luster

Resinous

Diaphaneity

Translucent

Colors

Dark reddish-brown to black, orange-brown

Magnetism

Non-magnetic

Tenacity

Brittle

Cleavage

Good

Fracture

Uneven

Streak

Brown

Crystal System

Hexagonal

Hardness

3.5 - 4 , Soft

Density

4.09 g/cm³, Obviously Heavy Weight

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Chemical Properties of Wurtzite

Chemical Classification

Sulfides

Formula

(Zn,Fe)S

Elements listed

S, Zn

Common Impurities

Fe, Cd

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Rarity

Rare

Characteristics of Wurtzite

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Composition of Wurtzite

The wurtzite group includes cadmoselite (CdSe), greenockite (CdS), mátraite (ZnS), and rambergite (MnS), in addition to wurtzite. Its crystal structure is called the wurtzite crystal structure, to which it lends its name. This structure is a member of the hexagonal crystal system and consists of tetrahedrally coordinated zinc and sulfur atoms that are stacked in an ABABABABAB pattern. The unit cell parameters of wurtzite are (-2H polytype): a = b = 3.25 Å = 325 pm c = 6.26 Å = 626 pm V = 79.11 Å Z = 2

Common Questions People Also Ask

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What is the difference between zinc blende and wurtzite?

What is hexagonal wurtzite structure?

What is the crystal structure of wurtzite?

Where can wurtzite be found?

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