Sphalerite
ZnSIMA symbol: Spapproved
Sphalerite is a sulfide or sulfosalt mineral with the formula ZnS, crystallizing in the cubic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-4, typically colorless, white, black or brown in color, with an adamantine or resinous luster, a specific gravity of 3. Its streak is white or brown.
Photos
Crystallography
| Crystal system | cubic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | F -4 3 m |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 5.4159, b = 5.4159, c = 5.4159; α = 90, β = 90, γ = 90 |
| Cell volume | 158.859 ų, Z = 4 |
| Axial ratios | 1.0000:1:1.0000calculated from COD 9016290 |
| Source structure | COD 9016290 (Journal of Mineralogical and Petrological Sciences, 2008) — 1 of 6 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 3.127 | 1.915 | 1.633 | 1.106 | 1.242 | 2.708 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 60.7 | 40.6 | 19.1 | 15.5 | 11.9 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 9016290; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 4.074 g/cm³calculated from COD 9016290 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 3.5-4single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 3 g/cm3single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Color | black, brown, colorless, green, red, white, yellowsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Streak | brown, white, yellowsingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Luster | adamantine, resinoussingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 97.47 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Zn 67.1%, S 32.9% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 2.CB.05aWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 2.CB.05aWikidata (CC0) |