# Willemite

Willemite is a rare mineral that glows bright green under ultraviolet light. It is often found in zinc deposits and is prized by collectors for its unique fluorescence.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Willemite](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Willemite-130544.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Christian Rewitzer, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Willemite-130544.jpg)

## Appearance

The Willemite is typically found as green, yellow-green, or reddish-brown crystals, though it can also be white or colorless. It often has a greasy or glassy sheen. Its varying colors and forms can make it look quite different depending on where it's found.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- It often forms from hot mineral-rich water cooling deep inside the Earth.
- It's one of the first minerals ever discovered to glow under ultraviolet light!
- While often tiny, massive willemite crystals as long as your forearm have been found!
- Willemite provides zinc, a metal used in batteries and to protect steel from rust!

## Special abilities

- **UV Light Show:** Willemite has a unique crystal structure that makes it glow a vibrant green under ultraviolet light.
- **Squeeze Spark:** Willemite has a special crystal structure that allows it to generate a small electric charge when squeezed!

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** white, yellow-green, green, reddish-brown, brown, grey, colorless
- **Hardness:** 5.5
- **Luster:** vitreous to resinous
- **Specific Gravity:** 4.1
- **Crystal System:** hexagonal

## Traits

- [Fluorescent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fluorescent): Fluorescent minerals emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet light or other non-visible radiation, a phenomenon called fluorescence.
- [Gemstone](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gemstone): A gemstone is a piece of mineral crystal which, when cut and polished, is used to make jewelry or other adornments.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Willemite is a mineral and should not be ingested. Always handle minerals carefully to avoid accidental cuts.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Willemite?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Willemite be?

white, yellow-green, green, reddish-brown, brown, grey, colorless

### How hard is Willemite?

5.5

### What kind of luster does Willemite have?

vitreous to resinous

### What is Willemite's specific gravity?

4.1

### What crystal system does Willemite belong to?

hexagonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Willemite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willemite)