Sphalerite

The principal ore of zinc, sphalerite is a zinc sulfide (ZnS) and one of the most common sulfide minerals. Its name derives from the Greek word for deceptive, because it was often mistaken for galena. It crystallizes in the cubic system as tetrahedral, dodecahedral, or massive forms with an adamantine luster, a white to yellow-brown streak, and perfect dodecahedral cleavage. Pure sphalerite is pale yellow, but iron impurities darken it to brown or black, and colors also include red and green. Its Mohs hardness is 3.5 to 4 and its specific gravity 3.90 to 4.10. Its adamantine to resinous luster and perfect cleavage in six directions further distinguish it in hand specimen.

Sphaleriteは亜鉛の主要な鉱石であり、最も一般的な硫化物鉱物の一つである。名前はギリシャ語の「欺く」に由来し、方鉛鉱としばしば誤認されたためである。純粋な閃亜鉛鉱は淡黄色で、鉄の不純物によって褐色～黒色に変化する。