Natural Sphalerite

Common as an important ore of zinc, gem quality sphalerite is a rare collector stone. The mineral is usually nearly black in color but is occaisionally found in transparent pieces of an orange or yellowish brown hue. Clean pieces are extremely rare.

Find your Sphalerite

Our Sphalerite(s) are available in various shapes, sizes and colors. 16 Sphalerite(s), too many to look through? You may select any combination of search options. Colors grade into each other and you can search for more than one color at once. For a better selection, try selecting two or three colors, -- your first choice plus the two closest colors.

Sphalerite Profile

Color information:	Orange, yellow, brown, green
Refractive Index:	2.37
Chemical Composition:	ZnS
Hardness:	3.5-4
Density:	4.05
Crystal Group:	Cubic
Ocurrence:	Spain, Mexico
Sign of the Zodiac:	N/A
Month of the year:	N/A

With a dispersion three times higher than diamond, gem sphalerite is one of the brightest and most dispersive of all minerals. It has a hardness of 3.5 - 4 as well as 6 directions of perfect cleavage. Spahlerite is very difficult to polish and is too soft to be used in jewelry.

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