Wurtzite
A variety of Wurtzite Group
What is Wurtzite?
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.
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Key Characteristics
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
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Dark reddish-brown to black, orange-brown
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5 - 4
- Density
- 4.09 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brown
- Luster
- Resinous
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- (Zn,Fe)S
- Elements
- S, Zn
Also Known As
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