Zinc, in commerce also spelter, is a chemical element with symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element of group 12 of the periodic table.In some respects zinc is chemically similar to magnesium: its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2.Zinc is the 24th most abundant element in Earth's crust and has five stable isotopes.inc methyl (Zn(CH3) 2) is used in a number of organic syntheses. Zinc sulfide (ZnS) is used in luminescent pigments such as on the hands of clocks, X-ray and television screens, and luminous paints. Crystals of ZnS are used in lasers that operate in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum.