sphalerite

American  

[sfal-uh-rahyt, sfey-luh-] / ˈsfæl əˌraɪt, ˈsfeɪ lə- /

noun

1. a very common mineral, zinc sulfide, ZnS, usually containing some iron and a little cadmium, occurring in yellow, brown, or black crystals or cleavable masses with resinous luster: the principal ore of zinc and cadmium; blackjack.

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sphalerite British  

/ ˈsfeɪlə-, ˈsfæləˌraɪt /

noun

1. Also called: zinc blende.  a yellow to brownish-black mineral consisting of zinc sulphide in cubic crystalline form with varying amounts of iron, manganese, cadmium, gallium, and indium: the chief source of zinc. Formula: ZnS

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sphalerite Scientific  

/ sfăl′ə-rīt′ /

1. A usually yellow-brown or brownish-black cubic mineral occurring either as single dodecahedral crystals or as granular masses. It often contains cadmium, arsenic, or manganese and has a distinct rotten egg odor. It is often found in association with the mineral galena and is the primary ore of zinc. Chemical formula: ZnS.

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Etymology

Origin of sphalerite

1865–70; < Greek sphaler ( ós ) slippery, deceptive + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sphalerite

In addition to these definite mineral forms, silver is present in many ores in an undetermined form in other sulphides, notably in galena, sphalerite, and pyrite.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

This substance occurs as the mineral sphalerite, and is one of the most valued ores of zinc.

From An Elementary Study of Chemistry by McPherson, William

Sphalerite almost always contains a little cadmium, probably as the sulphide; and in zinc deposits crystals of sphalerite in cavities are frequently covered with a greenish-yellow film or coating of greenockite.

From The Economic Aspect of Geology by Leith, C. K. (Charles Kenneth)

Its chief ores are zincite, ZnO, sphalerite or blende, ZnS, Smithsonite, ZnCO3.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Williams, Rufus Phillips

Examine brimstone, flowers of sulphur, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galenite, gypsum, barite.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Williams, Rufus Phillips