Zunyite in
Quartz from near
Quartzite, AZ
CHEMISTRY Al13Si5O22(OH,F)18Cl
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY Cubic
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND HABITS Commonly forms tetrahedral or pseudo octahedral crystals and as modified cubes. Crystals are usually small.
COLOR AND OTHER OPTICAL PROPERTIES Grayish white to tan and brown; transparent to translucent. Sometimes fluoresces red.
HARDNESS 7
SPECIFIC GRAVITY 2.87 - 2.90
LUSTER Vitreous
STREAK White
BREAKABILITY Brittle, good octahedral cleavage.
OCCURRENCE Zunyite is found in volcanic rocks that have been altered by hydrothermal solutions; also in hydrothermally altered shales rich in aluminum.
ASSOCIATED MINERALS Quartz, Hematite, Pyrophllite, Rutile, Pyrite
MINERAL NAME Named for the Zuni mine in Colorado.