Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/47445767@N05">James St. John</a> (CC BY 2.0)
cubiccommonSulfides
Sphalerite
(Zn,Fe)S
This specimen features dark, resinous to submetallic crystals, likely dark brown to black, exhibiting distinct crystal faces. The overall appearance is opaque and blocky.
Sphalerite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
cubicLuster
resinousStreak Color
brownish to yellow-brownCleavage
perfect dodecahedral (6 directions)Fracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
4Colors
yellow, brown, black, red, green, colorlessTransparency
transparentType Locality
mine near Carthage, Tennessee, USAMineral Group
SulfidesUses
zinc ore, collector's specimensAssociated Minerals
galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, fluorite, calcite, dolomite, quartzRarity
commonGeological Context
Sphalerite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic deposits, and sedimentary exhalative deposits (SEDEX). It is often found in association with other sulfide minerals in these environments.
