Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
cubiccommonSulfides
Sphalerite
ZnS
This image displays dark, lustrous crystals of sphalerite, showing its characteristic resinous to submetallic luster and well-formed crystal faces.
Sphalerite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
cubicLuster
resinousStreak Color
brownish to light yellowCleavage
perfect dodecahedral (6 directions)Fracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
4Colors
yellow, brown, black, red, green, colorlessTransparency
transparentType Locality
Treece, Picher Field, Tri-State District, Cherokee County, Kansas, USAMineral Group
SulfidesUses
primary ore of zinc, collector specimensAssociated Minerals
galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, fluorite, calcite, dolomiteRarity
commonGeological Context
Sphalerite is a common mineral found in hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic deposits, and sedimentary exhalative deposits, often associated with other sulfide minerals like galena and chalcopyrite.
