Sphalerite mineral is a sulfide mineral & the principal ore of zinc. Sphalerite gets its name from the Greek sphaleros, meaning treacherous because its lustrous dark crystals can be mistaken for other minerals. It is also known as Zinc Blende, Black-Jack & Ruby Jack.
Pure Sphalerite is colorless & rare, however, when iron is present, the color can vary from pale greenish yellow to brown & black depending on how much iron is present. When iron content is sufficiently high, it forms an opaque black variety, Marmatite.
Sphalerite is usually found in association with Galena, Pyrite, other sulfides as well as Calcite, Dolomite, Quartz & Fluorite. It is associated with Galena in Lead-Zinc deposits. Its complex crystals combine tetrahedral or dodecahedral forms. It is often coarsely crystalline or massive, or forms banded, botryoidal, or stalactitic aggregates.It occurs in hydrothermal vein deposits, contact metamorphic zones & replacement deposits formed at extremely high temperatures. It is also found in meteorites & lunar rocks.
Sphalerite is a stone that is said to help with self-protection, by divining through the miasma to distinguish truth from fantasy. Its grounding properties may prevent seduction by lofty deceptions. Sphalerite is considered strongly connected to the energies of Earth & may offer balance with mental or spiritual overstimulation.
