Sphalerite

Sphalerite on quartz, from the Shuikoushan ore field, China.

Sphalerite is a mineral. Its is a mixed zinc and iron sulfide. The chemical formula is (Zn,Fe)S. It can be brown, yellow, red, green, and black. It is normally found with galena, a lead ore. It is also known as zinc blende. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4. It is the main ore of zinc. It has a non-metalic sheen.

Sphalerite Media

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  The crystal structure of sphalerite

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  Sphalerite fluorescing under ultraviolet light (Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Kansas, US)

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  Faceted sphalerite, known by the name of Étoile des Asturies, one of the largest in existence. It actually comes from the Aliva mine, Cantabria (Spain). Cantonal Museum of Geology of Lausanne.

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  Sphalerite and barite from Cumberland Mine, Tennessee, US

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  Sphalerite on dolostone, from Millersville Quarry, Ohio, US

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  Tan crystal of calcite attached to a cluster of black sphalerite crystals

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  Sharp, tetrahedral sphalerite crystals with minor associated chalcopyrite from the Idarado Mine, Telluride, Ouray District, Colorado, US

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  Sphalerite crystals from Áliva, Camaleño, Cantabria (Spain)

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  Purple fluorite and sphalerite, from the Elmwood mine, Smith county, Tennessee, US