Ashoverite
Encyclopedia
Ashoverite is one of three polymorphs
of zinc hydroxide
, Zn(OH)2. It is a rare mineral first found in a limestone quarry near Ashover
, Derbyshire
, England, in 1988. It has also been found in the Harz mountain range
in Germany
, and in Namibia
.
The mineral was discovered after samples of the polymorph sweetite
were sent to labs by S. A. Rust. Some specimens contained what appeared to be baryte but, which on further examination, were found to be a previously undescribed mineral.
Polymorphism (materials science)
Polymorphism in materials science is the ability of a solid material to exist in more than one form or crystal structure. Polymorphism can potentially be found in any crystalline material including polymers, minerals, and metals, and is related to allotropy, which refers to chemical elements...
of zinc hydroxide
Zinc hydroxide
Zinc hydroxide Zn2 is an inorganic chemical compound. It also occurs naturally as 3 rare minerals: wülfingite , ashoverite and sweetite ....
, Zn(OH)2. It is a rare mineral first found in a limestone quarry near Ashover
Ashover
Ashover is a village in the English county of Derbyshire. It is in the North East Derbyshire district of the county. It sits in a picturesque valley, not far from the town of Matlock and the Peak District national park. The centre of the village is a conservation area. The River Amber flows through...
, Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
, England, in 1988. It has also been found in the Harz mountain range
Harz
The Harz is the highest mountain range in northern Germany and its rugged terrain extends across parts of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The name Harz derives from the Middle High German word Hardt or Hart , latinized as Hercynia. The legendary Brocken is the highest summit in the Harz...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, and in Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
.
The mineral was discovered after samples of the polymorph sweetite
Sweetite
Sweetite has a general formula of Zn2. The name is given after a curator of mineral department of The British Museum, Jessie May Sweet...
were sent to labs by S. A. Rust. Some specimens contained what appeared to be baryte but, which on further examination, were found to be a previously undescribed mineral.