Mineral 1.0: Sphalerite

Mineral 1.0

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Mineral Picture courtesy of www.yuprocks.com

SphaleriteZnS

Class: Sulfide
Hardness: 3.5 - 4
Density: 3.9 - 4.1
Streak: White to light-medium brown
Lustre: Resinous, adamantine to submetallic
Habit: Medium grained aggregate.
Colours: Pale yellow, light brown, brown, black
   Crystal System: Isometric
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Conchoidal
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: None
Identification in hand sample:
Low specific gravity distinguishes it from galena, as does colour. Lustre also indicative.
Associations:
Common in hydrothermal sulfide deposits. Associated with galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Main ore of which zinc is extracted.



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