sphalerite
rough sphalerite from Santander in Spain
sphalerite crystals from U.S.
cabochon of sphalerite from Picos de Europa, Santander, Spain
cabochon of sphalerite from Picos de Europa, Santander, Spain
gas – liquid like inclusions in gas bubbles
liquid type inclusions, grouped into folded cloud
Detailed sheet
sphalerite
Its name comes from the Greek “sphaleros” meaning traitor, deceitful, because in its black variety it looked like galena but did not release lead during fusion … and because of its brightness was also confused with the diamond. It is the major ore of zinc.
Sphalerite is its name since 1870, but has also kept the name of zinc blende, which had been given by the German miners. On variety it has often been called “honey sphalerite” because near Santander in Spain it has honey colors.
Its dispersion is three times stronger than that of diamond.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
ZnS
zinc sulfur
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
orange
Other colors
brown, colourless, yellow, black, red, green
Color of streak
yellow
Luster
adamantine, greasy
Hardness
3.5 to 4.0
Density
3.90 to 4.12
Cleavage
perfect
Fracture
uneven
easy cleavage in three directions
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
transparent
the black iron-rich sphalerite may seem opaque
Refractive index
2.370 - 2.400
Double refraction
0.000
none, isotropic
visible double refraction
No
Dispersion
0.156(0.088)
Pleochroism
absent
Number of colors
1
Absorption spectrum
651
Fluorescence
variable
yellow, orange, blue, green, pink, red
Inclusions
color zones
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
very shiny and well formed
crystals system
cubic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
Widely foundmineral : in France (La Mure, Isere), in England (Cumberland) in Canada, Spain (Santander region), United States (Wisconsin), Russia, Mexico, Namibia, Zaire.
use in jewelry
This is a collection stone because its divisions make it too fragile. Difficult to cut because when the stone is heated it causes its cleavage.
Daily care
and precautions
It is sensitive to acids, particularly to hydrochloric acid, in contact with which, hydrogen sulfide is released: with a characteristic odor of rotten eggs.
imitations and
treatments
it exists some synthetic sphalerite
Historical
healing properties
It would be an anchor stone for disoriented people, feeling bad about themselves. It would have a beneficial effect on all the physical, mental, emotional, sexual disorders.
Other
Gems
Venez visitez
notre site web
voillot-joaillier.fr
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