Where is zinc blende used?

The luster is strong, diamond-like, metal-like in dark-colored varieties. Hardness 3,5-4. Specific gravity 4,08-4,1 g/cm3. Color yellow, reddish, brown, greenish, brown-black, dark gray, black, sometimes colorless. The line is white, light yellow, light brown, gray. Cleavage is perfect in six directions along the faces of the rhombic dodecahedron. Solid granular (tabular) masses, inclusions, crystals. Cubic system. Fragile.

Features. Sphalerite is characterized by a diamond luster and medium hardness. The color of sphalerite is mostly yellow, brown, brown-black. The line is white, light yellow, light brown. Sphalerite is characterized by perfect cleavage in several directions. Companion: galena (lead-gray). Sphalerite is a trip to wolframite, tin stone and titanium iron ore. Sphalerite differs from these minerals in its shine (sphalerite has a strong, diamond-like shine; wolframite, cassiterite, ilmenite do not shine so much). Wolframite, unlike zinc blende, is heavier and has perfect cleavage in one direction (zinc blende has perfect cleavage in several directions). Tin stone and titanium iron ore have weak magnetic properties. Cassiterite has a light streak.

Chemical properties. Powder dissolved in nitric acid, with the addition of a few drops of cobalt nitrate when heated, turns the solution green.

Varieties and photos of sphalerite

1. Cleiophanes – light, transparent zinc blende of yellow color.
2. Marmatite – dark zinc blende containing iron.
3. Pechenkovaya и shellblende – cryptocrystalline varieties.
4. Humuchionite – crimson-red, pink-red, kidney-shaped, contains realgar.

Marmatite with calcite. Photo by Rob Lavinsky Yellow Cleophanes. Photo by Didier Descun Humuchionite among galena

Origin of sphalerite

Hydrothermal origin. It is isolated together with galena from hot aqueous solutions. Less common is sphalerite of secondary origin, formed as a result of the reduction of ZnSO₄ and ZnCO₃ to ZnS in the cementation zone.

Satellites. In ore veins and contacts: quartz, pyroxene, molybdenite, magnetite, calcite, dolomite, siderite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, native silver, limonite, malachite, azurite, gold, stibnite.

Application of sphalerite

Sphalerite is the main ore for zinc production; in addition, indium, cadmium and other impurities are extracted from it. Green transparent samples are suitable for cutting and are of gem quality.

Zinc is used to produce alloys (brass, aluminum bronze, cupronickel), for galvanizing iron to protect it from corrosion, for the preparation of zinc white, fluorescent screens. Zinc chloride – for impregnation of sleepers, telegraph poles in order to protect them from rotting; Zinc oxide is used in the glass and rubber industries and in the production of chemicals and medicines.

Place of Birth

It is found in the same deposits where galena is found. Sphalerite is found in hydrothermal deposits and skarns, and is also a component in polymetallic ores.

In Russia it is mined in Transbaikalia (Klichka), Primorsky Territory (Dalnegorsk), in the Urals (Karpushinskoye, named after the 3rd International) and the North Caucasus.

It is mined in Spain (jewelry sphalerites from the Santander mine), USA, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan (Zhezkazgan), Namibia, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic (Kelergund), Switzerland (Binnenthal).

You may be interested in:

1. Carbonate rocks
2. Rock porosity
3. Internal structure of hydrocarbon deposits
4. Physical properties of minerals
5. Major depositional areas and settings
6. Composition and structure of sedimentary rocks

Sphalerite is a naturally occurring mineral belonging to the sulfide class. Despite its belonging to zinc sulfides, the stone has no external resemblance to the metals of this group. Because of this feature, it is often called zinc blende. The mineral was first discovered and studied in the mid-16th century by the German mineralogist George Agricola. Because of its similarity to galena, the scientist called it “blende,” that is, “blende.” In the mid-19th century, his colleague and compatriot Ernst Glocker gave the stone the name “sphalerite,” which translated from ancient Greek means “deceptive” or “treacherous.” The scientist decided to rename the mineral in this way due to the fact that its transparent crystals were often confused with precious gems.

Appearance of sphalerites, places of their extraction

Pure samples are painted white, and the presence of iron impurities in the composition can give them different shades. In nature, stones of yellow, yellow-green, red-orange, gray and black colors are found. Crystals of a yellow hue are sometimes called honeyblende, and red-orange crystals are called ruby.

Sphalerites are fragile crystals of varying degrees of transparency with a diamond or metallic luster. They are distinguished by cubic system, perfect cleavage in several directions and stepwise fracture. In addition to iron, the mineral may contain impurities of cadmium, copper, silver, titanium, germanium, mercury, indium, sulfur, nickel and gallium in varying concentrations. Zinc blende is mined from sedimentary rocks and hydrothermal deposits on every continent except Antarctica. Its largest deposits are located:

• in the Russian Federation (in the North Caucasus, the Urals, the Primorsky Territory, Transbaikalia);
• Kazakhstan;
• Poland;
• Czech Republic;
• Germany;
• Namibia;
• Australia
• USA;
• Canada.

Ideally pure samples of sphalerite used in jewelry are mined in China, Bulgaria, Spain and Mexico.

Varieties of zinc blende

The color scheme and appearance of sphalerite depend on the composition and mass fraction of impurities included in its composition. Taking these features into account, the following types of mineral are distinguished:

1. Cleiophane is a transparent stone of amber-yellow or greenish-yellow color, which does not have iron impurities in its structure. Very fragile, making it difficult to cut. Popular among collectors.
2. Brunkite is an almost white or light yellow fine-crystalline mineral mined in areas with clayey rocks.
3. Marmatite (ferruginous sphalerite) is an opaque black mineral with a high iron content. It differs from other types in its matte shine and inclusions of chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. The name comes from the area of ​​Marmato in Latin America.
4. Marasmolite is a partially decomposed variety of marmatite with low iron content. It is characterized by increased fragility.
5. Příbramite is a light yellow translucent stone with a large amount of cadmium impurities. It is mined in the Czech Republic in the vicinity of the city of Pribram.
6. Humuchionite is a kidney-shaped sphalerite of a reddish-pink or reddish-crimson hue containing realgar.

Use in industry

Sphalerite is the main source of zinc. In the process of its smelting, indium, gallium and cadmium are also obtained – rare and expensive metals used in the electrical industry. Zinc obtained from sphalerite is used in many industries. This metal is coated on steel to protect it from corrosion. Zinc is used in the paint and varnish industry to produce zinc white and fluorescent paints. In the pharmaceutical industry, substances obtained by processing this metal are added to antiseptic and anti-inflammatory drugs. By combining zinc with copper, brass is obtained, an alloy widely used in a number of important industries.

Zinc blende, which contains layers of quartz, galena, magnetite and chalcopyrite, is widely used in the production of souvenirs and interior items. Craftsmen call such samples of the mineral “chipmunk ore.” In jewelry, sphalerite crystals are rarely used due to their high fragility and complexity of cutting. Sometimes stones are inserted into pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings and rings, but they quickly lose their attractiveness and make the products short-lived.

Some craftsmen, in order to extend the life of jewelry, inlay them with artificially obtained sphalerites of yellow or yellow-green tones.

Healing and magical properties of the stone

Sphalerite has long been known for its healing effects on the body. The mineral has a beneficial effect on human well-being, helps strengthen the immune system, and increases vitality. Lithotherapists recommend using specimens of dark shades to treat colds that develop as a result of hypothermia. Yellow zinc blende crystals are used to restore visual acuity. White stones have a positive effect on a person’s mental state, so looking at them is useful for people suffering from irritability, emotional instability and insomnia. Traditional healers use sphalerites in the preparation of medicines that help normalize the digestive system and cleanse the blood.

Zinc blende is a magical stone whose magical properties are used by sorcerers all over the world. Black minerals are used by mediums and magicians to contact the underworld and cause mortal harm to strangers.

However, sorcerers are in no hurry to use the stone with bad intentions, since it has the ability to return to a person the evil emanating from it with double force.

White sphalerite serves as a material for creating powerful protective amulets. It protects its owner from anger, envy and other negative feelings emanating from people around him. A transparent yellow pebble instills in a person faith in his own strength, optimism and calmness, protects him from the evil eye, damage and curses. Those who suffer from low self-esteem, experience bouts of uncontrollable anger and are constantly faced with failures should wear the amulet with it. Also, yellow sphalerite will help a person get rid of sleep problems and return harmony to life.

The astrological affiliation of zinc blende has not been fully studied to date. Experts only know that for people born under the sign of Taurus, the mineral helps them achieve their goals. But Scorpios should stay as far away from sphalerite as possible, as this stone can seriously harm them.