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Minerals P-T
Sphalerite
Name
Sphalerite
Chemistry
(Zn,Fe)S
Uses
As an ore of zinc or a mineral specimen
Color
Metallic brown
Hardness
Specific gravity
Crystals
Accompanied by:
Quartz
Similar to:
Crystals
Monoclinic pseudo-orthorhombic.
Accompanied by:
Garnet,kyanite,mica.
Fracture
Subconchoidal.
Luster
Vitreous to resinous.
Cleavage
One distinct cleavage.
Streak
White
Due to its high solubility sphalerite is one of the minerals rarely found as uehedral crystals at Tsumeb.
However, some dark brown single crystals up to 3 cm were periodically found, such as the 6 x 3 cm cluster of sphalerite from the 28th level.
The deepest levels produced a few specimens of small red crystals on dolomite. The iron-rich, dark-brown variety of sphalerite was more common than the green iron-deficient one.
Sphalerite is a common mineral in sedimentary and hydrothermal ore deposits, it usually occurs in a massive form. At the Nadabeep West Mine is occurs as euhedral composite crystals up to 3 cm in size, and small beautiful honey-colored crystals have come from the Pering mine at Reivilo. An unusual occurence is from the N'Chwaning II mine with shigaite and rhodochrosite.
