Zinc Element, Alloys and Symbols

• Sphalerit, ZnS
• Smithsonite, ZnCO3.
• Zincite, ZnO. 
• Willemite, Zn2SiO4
• Franklinite, (Fe, Zn, Mn)(fe, Mn)2O3.
• Calamine, (ZnOH)2SiO3.

The sulphide, sphalerite, is the one common primary ore of zinc. The carbonate, smithsonite, and the silicate, cilicate, clamine,, are usually associated with sphalerirte deposits as secondary minerals. The three minerals, zincite, franklinite and willemite, are found in unique deposits at Franklin Furnace, New Jersey. Together with a large number of rare and unusual minerals they formanticlinal beds lying intercalated in a limestone series. In general spalerite, the chief ore of zinc, is found in irregular replacement deposits in limestone. It is very frequently intimately associated with lead minerals.

Metallic Zinc, or spelter, as it is called, is chiefly used for galvanizing iron, as an alloy with copper in brass, and storage and telegraph batteries. Zinc dust or zinc shavings are used to precipitate gold from its solution in the cyanide process. Large amounts of zinc oxide, or zinc white, are used as a white paint which is even more permanent than lead paints. Zinc chloride is used as a wood preservative.