Characteristics of Sphalerite:

Chemical Name: Zinc sulphide

Formula: ZnS

Colors: Yellow-green, red, brown, black

Structure: Cubic

Hardness: 3.5-4

Specific Gravity: 3.9-4.1

Refractive Index: 2.36-2.37

Lustre: Resinous to adamantine

Streak: Brownish to light yellow

Locations: Russian, Spain, Mexico, Canada, USA

 

Is sphalerite crystal rare?

Sphalerite gemstones are rare. This is not because the stone itself is rare, but because it is possibly the most difficult of all gems to cut. the stone can easily shatter into small pieces during cutting: the ability to facet sphalerite is the mark of a master cutter. For this reason, stones are faceted only for collectors.

 

Sphalerite takes its name from the Greek word sphaleros, meaning “treacherous”, referring to the fact that it occurs in a number of forms that can be mistaken for other minerals. Its usual color is greenish yellow, but it can also be ruby red.