Sphalerite Mineral Data

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General Sphalerite Information

Chemical Formula:

(Zn,Fe)S

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 96.98 gm

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�Zinc��64.06�%��Zn

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�Iron��2.88�%��Fe

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�Sulfur��33.06�%��S

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Empirical Formula:

Zn_0.95Fe²⁺_0.05S

Environment:

In sulfide ore veins in all rock classes.

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1847

Locality:

Notable localities are Santander, Spain and Joplin, Kansas. Link to�MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

From the Greek sphaleros - "misleading."

Name Pronunciation:

Sphalerite + Pronunciation

Synonym:

Black Jack

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False Galena

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ICSD 60378

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Mock Lead Ore

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M�traite - densely twinned

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PDF 5-566

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Zinc Blende

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Sphalerite Image

Images:

Sphalerite

Comments: Highly lustrous, black, complex sphalerite crystals to 15 mm in size completely covering the top of a sulfide matrix.
Location: Nanisivik mine, Baffin Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. Scale: 6.5 x 7.5 x 1.8 cm.
� Dan Weinrich

Images:

Sphalerite � Ankerite � Dickite

Comments: White, rhombohedral crystals of ankerite and dark gray, metallic sphalerite on beige dickite.
Location: Prego mine, Kladno, Czech Rebublic. Scale: Picture size 2 cm.
� Dave Barthelmy

Images:

Sphalerite � Baumhauerite-2a

Comments: Dark crystal of baumhauerite-2a (same shape as baumhauerite) with olive-green transparent sphalerite crystal on white dolomite.
Location: Lengenbach quarry, Binntal, Valais, Switzerland. Scale: Picture 2 cm tall.
� Walter Gabriel

Sphalerite Crystallography

Cell Dimensions:

a = 5.406, Z = 4; V = 157.99 Den(Calc)= 4.08

Crystal System:

Isometric - HextetrahedralH-M Symbol (4 3m) Space Group: F43m

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 3.123(1), 1.912(0.51), 1.633(0.3),

Forms:

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Forms: ( 1 1 1) ( 1 1 1)

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Crystal Structure:

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Skinner B J , American Mineralogist , 46 (1961) p.1399-1411, Unit-cell edges of natural and synthetic sphalerites

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Physical Properties of Sphalerite

Cleavage:

{110} Perfect, {110} Perfect, {110} Perfect

Color:

Brown, Yellow, Red, Green, Black.

Density:

3.9 - 4.2, Average = 4.05

Diaphaneity:

Translucent to transparent

Fracture:

Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.

Habit:

Colloform - Forming from a gel or colloidal mass.

Habit:

Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form.

Habit:

Granular - Generally occurs as anhedral to subhedral crystals in matrix.

Hardness:

3.5-4 - Copper Penny-Fluorite

Luminescence:

Fluorescent and triboluminescent, Short UV=yellow-orange, Long UV=yellow-orange.

Luster:

Resinous - Greasy

Streak:

brownish white

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Optical Properties of Sphalerite

Optical Data:

Isotropic, n=2.37-2.43.

Reflectivity

**Standardized Intensity (100%) Reflection Spectra of Sphalerite in Air**
λ	R	�∑ R(λ)�
�400 nm�	�18.40�	�
�420 nm�	�18.20�
�440 nm�	�18.00�
�460 nm�	�17.70�
�480 nm�	�17.40�
�500 nm�	�17.10�
�520 nm�	�16.80�
�540 nm�	�16.60�
�560 nm�	�16.50�
�580 nm�	�16.40�
�600 nm�	�16.30�
�620 nm�	�16.20�
�640 nm�	�16.20�
�660 nm�	�16.10�
�680 nm�	�16.00�
�700 nm�	�15.90�

**Calculated Relative Intensity Colors of Sphalerite in Air**
Relative Intensity	�� 0%	� 60%	100%	120%	180%	240%	300%	360%	420%	480%	540%
R	�	�	�	�	�	�	�	�	�	�	�

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Calculated Properties of Sphalerite

Electron Density:

Bulk Density (Electron Density)=3.85 gm/cc
note: Specific Gravity of Sphalerite =4.08 gm/cc.

Fermion Index:

Fermion Index = 0.02
Boson Index = 0.98

Photoelectric:

PE_Sphalerite= 35.10 barns/electron
U=PE_Sphalerite x rElectron Density= 135.25 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)
Sphalerite is Not Radioactive

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Sphalerite Classification

Dana Class:

02.08.02.01 (02)Sulfides - Including Selenides and Tellurides

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(02.08)where Am Bn Xp, with (m+n):p=1:1

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(02.08.02)Sphalerite Group (Isometric: F4-3m)

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02.08.02.01 Sphalerite�(Zn,Fe)S F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.02 Stilleite�ZnSe F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.03 Metacinnabar�HgS F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.04 Tiemannite�HgSe F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.05 Coloradoite�HgTe F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.06 Hawleyite�CdS F43m 4 3m

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02.08.02.07 Rudashevskyite!�(Fe,Zn)S F43m 4 3m

Strunz Class:

02.CB.05a 02 - SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulf

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02.C - Metal Sulfides, M:S = 1:1 (and similar)

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02.CB -With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, Au, etc

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02.CB.05a Hawleyite�CdS F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Coloradoite�HgTe F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Metacinnabar�HgS F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Sphalerite�(Zn,Fe)S F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Tiemannite�HgSe F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Stilleite�ZnSe F43m 4 3m

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02.CB.05a Rudashevskyite!�(Fe,Zn)S F43m 4 3m

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Other Sphalerite Information

References:

NAME( Duda&Rejl90;) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990;www.saint-hilaire.ca) OPTIC PROP.(AntBidBlaNic1)

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Print or Cut-and-Paste your Sphalerite Specimen Label here :

Sphalerite

(Zn,Fe)S
Dana No: 02.08.02.01 Strunz No: 02.CB.05a
Locality:

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Notes:

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