1.9" Translucent Sphalerite Cluster on Calcite - Peru

This is a beautiful formation of translucent sphalerite crystals (resembling sphalerite var. cleiophane) on quartz. It comes from the Huaron Mining District in Peru and the entire specimen measures 1.9" long.

Sphalerite is a part of the sulfide group and typically exhibits a grey/black appearance due to high concentrations of impurities. In its purest state, sphalerite's chemical composition is ZnS, and can display a gemmy transparent light tan/yellow color. This is one of the few minerals that can form crystals ranging anywhere between gemmy and transparent to opaque and metallic-like. Opaque or cloudy sphalerite tends to be most abundant since iron easily replaces zinc in the process of formation.

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DETAILS
SPECIES
Sphalerite & Quartz
LOCATION
Huaron Mining District, Pasco Department, Peru
SIZE
1.9" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#220852