Sphalerite Mineral Data

Sphalerite Mineral Data +

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General Sphalerite Information

Chemical Formula:

(Zn,Fe)S

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 96.98 gm

Zinc 64.06 % Zn

Iron 2.88 % Fe

Sulfur 33.06 % S

______

100.00 %

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."

Synonym:

Black Jack

False Galena

ICSD 60378

Mock Lead Ore

PDF 5-566

Zinc Blende

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

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

Diaphaniety:

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.

Luster:

Resinous - Greasy

Streak:

brownish white

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

Calculated Properties of Sphalerite

Electron Density:

r_electron=3.85 gm/cc
note: r_Sphalerite=4.08 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.02935
Boson Index = 0.97065

Photoelectric:

PE_Sphalerite= 35.10 barns/electron
U=PE_Sphalerite x r_electron= 135.25 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Sphalerite is Not Radioactive

Sphalerite Classification

Dana Class:

2.8.2.1 (2)Sulfides - Including Selenides and Tellurides

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

(2.8.2)Sphalerite Group (Isometric: F4¯3m)

2.8.2.1 Sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S F43m 4 3m

2.8.2.2 Stilleite ZnSe F43m 4 3m

2.8.2.3 Metacinnabar HgS F43m 4 3m

2.8.2.4 Tiemannite HgSe F43m 4 3m

2.8.2.5 Coloradoite HgTe F43m 4 3m

2.8.2.6 Hawleyite CdS F43m 4 3m

Strunz Class:

II/C.01-10 II - Sulfides and sulphosalts

II/C - Sulfides with metal: sulfur, selenium and tellurium = 1:1

II/C.01 - Sphalerite group and related compounds (with Leutite)

II/C.01-10 Sphalerite (Zn,Fe)S F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-20 Hawleyite CdS F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-30 Metacinnabar HgS F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-40 Stilleite ZnSe F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-50 Tiemannite HgSe F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-60 Coloradoite HgTe F43m 4 3m

II/C.01-70 Polhemusite (Zn,Hg)S P 4/n 4/m

Other Sphalerite Information

References:

NAME( Duda&Rejl90) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(AntBidBlaNic1)

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Sphalerite

(Zn,Fe)S
Dana No: 2.8.2.1 Strunz No: II/C.01-10
Locality:

Notes: