Sphalerite

  • SphaleriteWhat is it and where is it formed?  Sphalerite is a zinc ore that is found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rock.  It is formed in veins that have had heat or hot water flowing through it.

  • How and where is it mined?  It is mined using underground mining.  Sphalerite is mined in Mexico, Australia, Italy, Spain, Burma, Morocco, Germany, and The United States [Franklin, N.J., Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee].

  • What is it used for?  It is mined because you can get zinc from it.  Zinc is used to make rubber, medicines, chemicals, and paints.

  • Interesting information:

    • Zinc + Sulfur = Sphalerite

    • Some sphalerite is fluorescent.  It glows when a blacklight shines on it.

 
Mineral Characteristic What the
mineralogists say		 Kid's Guide:  What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol (Zn, Fe)S

It has zinc, sulfur, and iron in it.
Color Black, brown, yellow, red, green, or white. Sphalerite is usually black.
Streak White If you crush this ore, its dust would be white.
Transparency Transparent to translucent You might see through it clearly or the crystal might be blurry to see through.
Luster Adamantine It shines like a diamond.
Cleavage Perfect If you crack sphalerite, it will split evenly in six directions every time that you do it.
Fracture Conchoidal If it is shattered, the pieces will be smooth.
Magnetism None It will not attract, or be attracted to, a magnet.
Hardness 3.5 - 4 It is average in hardness.  It can be scratched by a steel nail.
Specific gravity 4 It is light in weight.
Crystal Shape Cubic

Cubic crystal shape