Sphalerite
Sphalerite is the major ore of zinc. It is a sulphide mineral and exhibits a wide range of physical properties, such as colour, transparency, streak and lustre, because many elements can substitute for Zn in its crystal structure. Iron is the principle substituent, but cadmium, gallium and iridium can also substitute to economic volumes making sphalerite the leading commercial source of these also.Sphalerite may fluoresce (glow) orange under UV light, may exhibit triboluminescence (glow if crushed), and can also be pyroelectric (forms a slight electrical charge when heated or cooled).
Sphalerite is widespread and is found associated with other sulphide minerals, e.g. galena, in hydrothermal vein deposits, as replacement minerals in limestone and metamorphic rocks, and disseminated in sandstone and limestone.
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Chemical composition - (Zn, Fe)S
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