Sphalerite is a zinc-sulphide with varying content of iron, chemical formula (ZnFe) S. When low in iron its crystals have a yellow to brown luster. Wi

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Sphalerite is a zinc-sulphide with varying content of iron, chemical formula (ZnFe) S. When low in iron its crystals have a yellow to brown luster. With more iron it is an opaque, dark metallic-grey, as in this sample, and then sometimes referred to as marmatite. Crystals euhedral, often with lamellar surface, crystal system is isometric. Sphalerite is the most common ore of zinc. The brassy yellow-gold crystals interspersed in this sample are of the mineral Chalcopyrite, a copper iron sulfide (CuFeS2) Crystal system is tetrahedral scalenohedral, and the crystal habitat may range from amorphous to tetrahedral, often modified by scalenohedral faces. Chalcopyrite is a major ore of copper. Sample is from Madan in Bulgaria, actual width 40 mm.

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Size: 5173px × 3449px
Photo credit: © DIRK WIERSMA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, amorphous, bulgaria, chalcopyrite, copper, crystal, crystalline, euhedral, grey, isometric, lamellar, madan, marmatite, metallic, opaque, ore, scalenohedral, sulfide, sulphide