Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:DerHexer" title="User:DerHexer">DerHexer</a>, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

cubiccommonSulfides

Sphalerite

ZnS

A cluster of dark brown to black, lustrous sphalerite crystals, exhibiting a resinous to adamantine luster and distinct crystal faces.

Sphalerite Physical Properties

Mohs Hardness

3.5

Crystal System

cubic

Luster

vitreous

Streak Color

brownish to light yellow

Cleavage

perfect dodecahedral

Fracture

conchoidal to uneven

Specific Gravity

3.9

Colors

yellow, brown, black, red, green, colorless

Transparency

translucent to opaque

Type Locality

Joplin, Jasper Co., MO

Mineral Group

Sulfides

Uses

zinc ore, collector's specimens, gemstone (rarely)

Associated Minerals

galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, marcasite, fluorite, barite, calcite, dolomite, quartz

Rarity

common

Geological Context

Sphalerite is a primary ore mineral for zinc, commonly forming in hydrothermal veins and replacement deposits, often associated with Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits.

Back to Collection

Related Specimens

Wavellite

Brookite

Hauyne

Gold

Kunzite

Tourmaline