Sphalerite
Phenomenal & Rare Gems
Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral and the principal ore of zinc. Transparent yellow, orange, red, or green crystals can show adamantine to resinous luster and exceptionally strong spectral color flashes, but perfect cleavage and low hardness make them fragile gems.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Sphalerite
- Scientific or material identity
- Sphalerite
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Aliases or trade names
- Zinc blende · Blende
- Composition or formula
- ZnS
- Crystal system or structure
- Cubic
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5 to 4
Origins
Bulgaria · China · Peru · Spain
Appearance & optical properties
fiery orange-red sphalerite with resinous luster.
History & discovery
Georgius Agricola used the name blende in 1546. Ernst Friedrich Glocker named the mineral sphalerite in 1847 from Greek sphaleros, meaning “treacherous,” because dark crystals could be mistaken for the lead ore galena yet yielded no lead.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Sphalerite is the chief ore of zinc and also a source of cadmium, gallium, germanium, and indium. Rare transparent material is faceted mainly for collectors rather than everyday jewelry.
- Handling and cleaning
- Clean only with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Keep this soft, brittle mineral away from heat, impacts, ultrasonic or steam cleaning, and harder gems that could scratch it.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Sphalerite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Fireblende Ring
Ring
A sphalerite cut with confused brilliance throws orange flashes brighter than diamond, set in white gold.
Alpine Ember Pendant
Pendant
A green gold sphalerite drops from a fine chain, its strange sparkle changing with the light.
Golden Fleece Brooch
Brooch
Golden sphalerite stones are gathered into a fleece of metal, a wink at the ore that fools the eye.
Honey Fire Earrings
Earrings
An imagined pair of earrings set with sphalerite, a honey-orange stone that throws more fire than a diamond.
Fireblende Tiara
Tiara
An imagined gold tiara set with sphalerite, a honey-orange stone that throws more fire than a diamond.