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Gemstone Glossary |
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Sphalerite |
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Sphalerite, also known as blended, is an important ore of zinc. It is usually very dark brown to black in color, but, occasionally, transparent yellowish brown or green stones are found that can be faceted. Since sphalerite is soft and has perfect cleavage, it is not suitable for jewellery, and is faceted for museums and collectors only.
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Occurrence |
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Sphalerite crystals are usually pseudo-octahedral in shape, forming in hydrothermal veins with other minerals, such as galena, quartz, pyrite, and calcite. Transparent, cut table stones are found in Scamander (Spain) and Mexico.
USA.
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In the past, sphalerite has often been confused with galena (lead supplied), to which it is similar.
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