wurtzite

9.9

A brownish-black mineral made of zinc and sulfur that forms six-sided crystals and is mined for zinc

noun
/ˈwərˌzaɪt/

Specialized

: wurtzita

The rare hexagonal structure of wurtzite differentiates it from other zinc sulfide minerals.

Examples

The rare hexagonal structure of wurtzite differentiates it from other zinc sulfide minerals.
Samples of wurtzite are often studied for their unique semiconductor properties.
Geologists discovered significant deposits of wurtzite in the newly explored mine.
The wurtzite mineral is essential for zinc extraction.
Many geologists study wurtzite for its unique properties.
Geologists discovered significant deposits of wurtzite in the newly explored mine.
Samples of wurtzite are often studied for their unique semiconductor properties.

Synonyms

sphalerite

vswurtzite

Specialized

9.9

A mineral that miners dig to get zinc

is a less common hexagonal brownish black ore form

zinc blende

vswurtzite

Specialized

7.9

A mineral made mainly of zinc and sulfur that miners use to get zinc

is the rarer hexagonal brownish black ore rather than the common form

blende

vswurtzite

Archaic

9.9

A dark mineral of zinc and sulfur used as the main source of zinc

is specifically the hexagonal brownish black ore variant, not the principal form

zinc sulfide

vswurtzite

Specialized

5.8

A white or yellow mineral used in glow paint and optical parts

is the mineral ore form with hexagonal crystals and brownish black color

Surface Forms

wurtzite singular

wurtzites plural

Morphology

wurtzite = Wurtz (semi-transparent) = wurtz + ite

The suffix '-ite' signals a mineral or mineral-like substance, but the base is an eponymous surname that gives no compositional information to learners.

Etymology

Wurtzite is named after the French chemist Wurtz and the ending -ite, which is often used for minerals. So wurtzite literally means 'Wurtz's mineral', which fits because it is a mineral used as a source of zinc.