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Hemimorphite, one of the common sorosilicates gets its name from its polar or hemimorphic crystal characteristic features. Hemimorphite was originally named as calamine but this name was already in use for another mineral and hemimorphite was the common choice. But now-a-days it is the name that is widely used. The word ‘hemi’ itself means half while the ‘morph’ means shape and thus no other name could have been better than hemimorphite.
The unique structure of hemimorphite is such that the bottom portion is rather blunt being dominated by a pedion face while the opposite end that is the top is like the point of a pyramid. Though there are few other minerals which exhibit hemimorphic characteristics such as tourmaline, none can show them as well as hemimorphite.
There are two different forms of hemimorphite. There is one form that produces very glassy, clear or white, thin, bladed crystals, often well formed with many crystal faces. The other form produces a blue to blue-green botryoidal crust that resembles smithsonite or prehnite. There are times when hemimorphite demonstrates rough crystal ridges or "cock's comb" structures over top of the basic botryoidal crust. It is very essential for a collector to have both forms in his mineral collections.
Hemimorphite can boost one’s self esteem when one maintains the honesty of one’s relationship to reality. It is an excellent stone to aid one while growing toward an egoless self-confidence and self-respect. Hemimorphite is said to bring luck, a perceptive mind and a charming manner allowing one to actualize the beneficial character traits. These positive effects makes it a much sought after gemstone.
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