About Sphalerite
Zinc sulfide, the primary ore of zinc, occurring in various colors with a resinous to adamantine luster. It's a grounding stone that balances energies, enhances vitality, and helps discern truth, often stimulating creativity.
Primary Hues
Yellow, Brown, Red, Green, Black, Colorless, often with resinous to adamantine luster
Geological & Scientific Details
Sphalerite is classified as a sulfide mineral mineral which typically crystallizes in the cubic system. Its chemical formula is (Zn,Fe)S. Common crystal habits include euhedral crystals – occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form. granular – generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix..
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Sulfide mineral
- Chemical Formula: (Zn,Fe)S
- IMA Symbol: Sp[1]
- Crystal System: Cubic
- Predominant Geological Color: Light to dark brown, red-brown, yellow, red, green, light blue, black and colourless.
- Crystal Habit: Euhedral crystals – occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form. Granular – generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix.
- Twinning: Simple contact twins or complex lamellar forms, twin axis [111]
- Cleavage: perfect dodecahedral on [011]
- Luster: Adamantine, resinous, greasy
- Streak: brownish white, pale yellow
- Diaphaneity: Transparent to translucent, opaque when iron-rich