Search Mineralpedia – A Mineral Photo Database and Identification Guide

Named for the type locality at Zalesi in Moravia in the Czech Republic, where it occurs as a weathering product of chalcopyrite and cobalt arsenides. Additional localities include in the United States in Colorado in association with pharmacolite, in Brazil also in association with pharmacolite at Bumado, in Cornwall, England, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, as sprays of acicular crystals at the Dolores prospect in Spain, as crystalline aggregates at Laurion in Greece, and in Japan.  Zalesiite appears as pale green to green to blue acicular crystals, fibrous aggregates, or as coatings.

Ref. Minerals and their Localities, Bernard, J.H. and Hyršl, J. (2004)

Named after Dr. Josef Zemann, a crystallographer and specialist in tellurium minerals and a Professor of Mineralogy at the Univeristy of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. Found in four localities worldwide according to mindat.org, the Moctezuma mine in Mexico boasts as this mineral’s type locality. This rare mineral is found at Moctezuma as a “secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of a hydrothermal Au-Te deposit.”

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zemannite.pdf

Named for the Zinc in its composition, crystals of this mineral are rare and as a result synthetic crystals are widespread. Relatively common, Zincite is a primary constituent of metamorphosed orebodies such as the stratiform zinc deposit of Franklin and Sterling Hill in New Jersey, USA. Also found as an altered, secondary mineral in oxidized zones of ore deposits rich in zinc. Additionally, Zincite is product of volcanism. Interestingly, Zincite is found at the Tonopah-Belmont mine in Arizona, USA as the result of a fire in the mine. Rarely, Zincite will fluoresce pale yellow under long-wave ultraviolet light.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zincite.pdf

Named for the Arabic word zarqun, which is "thought to be derived from the Persian zar, for 'gold,' and gun, for 'color.'” Extremely common and widespread, Zircon is found as an igneous and metamorphic accessory mineral, large crystals in pegmatites and carbonatites, and in sedimentary rocks and sands. Despite its frequency, fine, gemstone-quality crystals are rare. Nearly all zircon fluoresces under UV light. Can be radioactive.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zircon.pdf

Named for Ferdinand Zirkel, petrographer and a Professor of Mineralogy at the University of Leipzig, in Leipzig, Germany. Found in Brazil, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and even from breccias derived from Moon granophyres, among other places, Zirkelite is typically found within carbonatites and layered intrusions. Zirkelite is frequently radioactive.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zirkelite.pdf

Named after Sigmund Zois, Baron von Edelstein, a mineral enthusiast who determined Zoisite was a new mineral and contributed the first specimens. A widespread mineral, Zoisite is found in schists of medium grade that were regionally metamorphosed from rocks with high calcium contents. It is also found in eclogites and blueschist facies. Part of the Epidote Group, Zoisite is the only orthorhombic member.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zoisite.pdf