Sinkkiitti

Sinkkiitti is a mineral composed of zinc oxide, with the chemical formula ZnO. It is a relatively rare zinc ore, typically found in the oxidized zones of zinc deposits. Sinkkiitti crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system and commonly appears as granular, massive, or botryoidal aggregates. Its color can vary from white to yellow, orange, or reddish-brown, often depending on the presence of impurities such as iron or manganese. The streak of sinkkiitti is typically white.

The hardness of sinkkiitti on the Mohs scale is between 3.5 and 4, and it has a specific gravity of approximately 5.6. It is insoluble in water but dissolves in acids. Sinkkiitti often forms through the weathering and oxidation of primary zinc sulfide minerals like sphalerite. Associated minerals can include smithsonite, hemimorphite, limonite, and cerussite. While not a primary source of zinc due to its rarity, sinkkiitti can be a minor contributor to zinc extraction in some mining operations. Its geological occurrence is primarily in arid or semi-arid climates where oxidation processes are more pronounced.