sphalerite
nounUS /ˈsfeɪ.ləˌɹaɪt/ · /ˈsfæl.əˌɹaɪt/
Etymology From Ancient Greek σφαλερός (sphalerós, “unstable, unsteady, precarious”) + -ite; named in 1847.
1
Chemistry, Geography, Geology, Mineralogy, Natural sciences, Physical sciences A yellow, brown or black, sometimes red, green white or colorless mineral with cubic crystals, of a chemical formula (Zn,Fe)S, often containing also minor metals, such as cadmium, gallium, germanium and indium.
- The Monte Cristo and Philadelphia sphalerites have similar mean Pb concentrations (80 ppm) that are lower than the Lucky Dog sphalerites (119 ppm).2009 February 6, Jamie J. Wilkinson et al., “Anomalously Metal-Rich Fluids Form Hydrothermal Ore Deposits”, in Science, volume 323, number 5915, →DOI, pages 764–767:
- Synonyms
- blende, zincblende
- Derived terms
- sphaleritic