What is the mineral sphalerite?
Sphalerite is an ore—a mineral of economic value—that was once mined in southeastern Kansas for its zinc content. It is also called zinc blende, blende, blackjack, and mock lead.
Is sphalerite a rare mineral?
Sphalerite is a zinc sulphide mineral that is quite rare in gem quality. Top grade specimens are prized for their exceptional fire or dispersion, which is higher than that of diamond.
How much zinc is in sphalerite?
Sphalerite Mineral Data
| General Sphalerite Information | |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula: | (Zn,Fe)S |
| Composition: | Molecular Weight = 96.98 gm |
| Zinc 64.06 % Zn | |
| Iron 2.88 % Fe |
How is sphalerite identified?
The appearance and properties of sphalerite are variable. One of the most distinctive properties of sphalerite is its cleavage. It has six directions of perfect cleavage with faces that exhibit a resinous to adamantine luster. Specimens that display this distinctive cleavage are easy to identify.
What rocks is sphalerite found in?
Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of (Zn,Fe)S. It is found in metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rocks in many parts of the world. Sphalerite is the most commonly encountered zinc mineral and the world’s most important ore of zinc.
How hard is a sphalerite?
When the iron content is high, sphalerite is an opaque black variety called marmatite….
| Sphalerite | |
|---|---|
| Fracture | Uneven to conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 3.5–4 |
| Luster | Adamantine, resinous, greasy |
| Streak | brownish white, pale yellow |
Where is purple sphalerite found?
It is common with chalcopyrite in exhalative massive sulfide bodies associated with volcanic rocks, such as those deposits near Rhinelander and Crandon. It is abundant in low temperature hydrothermal deposited widely known as Mississippi Valley type deposits, such as is found in the southwestern portion of Wisconsin.
What is the formula of hematite?
Hematite
| PubChem CID | 14833 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | Fe2O3 |
| Synonyms | HEMATITE Iron ore 1317-60-8 Iron(III)oxide iron(3+);oxygen(2-) More… |
| Molecular Weight | 159.69 |
| Component Compounds | CID 23925 (Fe) CID 190217 (Oxide) |
What is the formula of Argentite?
Argentite has a chemical formula Ag2S, silver sulphide and thus, it is a sulphide ore of silver. Its molecular weight is 247.80 g. It contains silver – 87.06% and sulphur- 12.94 %.