smithsonite

[ smith-suh-nahyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Mineralogy.

smithsonite

/ ˈsmɪθsəˌnaɪt /

a white mineral consisting of zinc carbonate in hexagonal crystalline form: occurs chiefly in dry limestone regions and is a source of zinc. Formula: ZnCO 3 Also called (US)calamine

Discover More

1825–35; named after J. Smithson (who distinguished it from calamine); -ite ¹

Discover More

C19: named after James Smithson

Discover More

Smithsonite is a carbonate much resembling, and often found with, calamine.

Zinc occurs in nature most commonly as sulphide (blende); it also occurs as carbonate (calamine) and silicate (smithsonite).

Browse