Sphalerite:
Basic facts:
Origin: Mexico & Spain
Colors: From brown to green, often with a rainbow sheen
Family: Sphalerite: ZnS
Hardness: 3.5 - 4
Refractive Index: 2.36 – 2.37
Specific Gravity: 3.90 – 4.10
Treatment: Not treated
Sphalerite is a very rare collectible stone with a luster better than even diamonds! This stone is usually dark brown or black, but in rare cases stones are found that produce wonderful yellow/green/red stones that can be faceted. The name Sphalerite was introduced in 1847 by E.F. Bells. Sphalerite stones also have a very strong pleochroism. In a stone that is pleochroism, you can see two or more different shades of color depending on the angle at which you look at the stone. High quality Sphalerite stones often have a wonderful, almost rainbow-like color when you see the stone in, for example, sunlight.
Basic facts:
Origin: Mexico & Spain
Colors: From brown to green, often with a rainbow sheen
Family: Sphalerite: ZnS
Hardness: 3.5 - 4
Refractive Index: 2.36 – 2.37
Specific Gravity: 3.90 – 4.10
Treatment: Not treated
Sphalerite is a very rare collectible stone with a luster better than even diamonds! This stone is usually dark brown or black, but in rare cases stones are found that produce wonderful yellow/green/red stones that can be faceted. The name Sphalerite was introduced in 1847 by E.F. Bells. Sphalerite stones also have a very strong pleochroism. In a stone that is pleochroism, you can see two or more different shades of color depending on the angle at which you look at the stone. High quality Sphalerite stones often have a wonderful, almost rainbow-like color when you see the stone in, for example, sunlight.