Sphalerite is mainly composed of ZnS and contains 67.1% zinc. Its crystal form is tetrahedral or dodecahedral, and it exhibits curved crystal surfaces. It generally forms in massive, granular, nodule-like and botryoidal aggregates. It has a significant range of colours from black, brown, yellow, red, green, and grey to white with light brown to colourless streaks. It has translucent to transparent diaphaneity, a resinous to adamantine lustre, a specific gravity of 3.9–4.1, a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4 and conchoidal fractures. It is usually found in hydrothermal veins and forms with dolomite, quartz, pyrite, galena, fluorite, barite and calcite. Sphalerite ores and crystal clusters can be crafted to become ornamental stones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsEditor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2020). Sphalerite. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_2317
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_2317
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2537-3
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2538-0
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences