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Sphalerite
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Sphalerite | NMNH G10695 | Spain | 214.21 ct |
Sphalerite is zinc sulfide, an ore of zinc. The name comes from the Greek "sphaleros,” meaning treacherous, in reference to how easy it is to mistake the darker varieties for galena, a lead ore. It is usually black in color, but in transparent form the mineral can be yellow, orange, red, or brown in hue with a resinous to adamantine luster. Because of its low hardness (3.5-4.0 Mohs scale) and perfect cleavage, sphalerite is a fragile gemstone that is not commonly used in jewelry. However, it shows great dispersion, three times that of diamond, making it a popular collector’s gem. This 214.21ct sphalerite from Spain has a deep brownish-orange color with pronounced dispersion. It was acquired for the National Gem Collection in 2011 with the Tiffany & Co. Foundation endowment.