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Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral species · Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Sphalerite
Also known asZinc Blende
A mineral species with the formula ZnS, listed as “sphalerite” in Table A.1 of GB/T 16552-2017; low hardness and well-developed cleavage make it poorly durable. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Sphalerite forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale; where its colour and optical effects come from, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify SphaleriteHow far lab testing can go and whether a synthetic exists
- Caring for and wearing SphaleriteCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them; durability indicators and wearing advice
- Hardness, density and refractive index of SphaleriteEach value with its source and check date
- Sphalerite in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name; and: Which of GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A have a name for it on record, and do those agree?
- Name origin and history of SphaleriteWhere the name comes from
- Listing and disclosing SphaleriteThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define SphaleriteWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Sphalerite, (Zn,Fe)S, is a sulfide mineral and zinc's most important ore. It forms across a broad span of hydrothermal conditions, from low to high temperature, and is additionally found in sedimentary deposits such as limestone and coal. The mineral is cubic, belongs to the sphalerite group, and is trimorphous with matraite and wurtzite. Its hue varies widely—colorless through dark brown, gray and black, commonly brown, yellow, red or green—and iron-rich material turns opaque; luster is resinous to adamantine.
Scope: Applies to the genesis, occurrence, composition and appearance of natural sphalerite as a mineral species; does not cover synthetic zinc sulfide or industrial galvanising and pigment products.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Where it forms
Hydrothermal conditions spanning low to high temperatures
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Sedimentary deposits including coal and limestone
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Associated with galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and other hydrothermal minerals
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
How it forms, step by step
In hydrothermal environments spanning a wide temperature range, zinc (with iron) and sulfur combine to crystallize sphalerite.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Sphalerite can also form and concentrate in sedimentary deposits such as coal and limestone.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Sphalerite crystals are typically tetrahedral or dodecahedral, also forming fibrous, botryoidal, and massive aggregates.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Link to appearance
Sphalerite's color is highly variable, from colorless to dark brown, gray, and black, commonly brown, yellow, red, or green; it becomes opaque when iron-rich and is otherwise transparent to translucent. It has a resinous to adamantine luster and a pale brown to pale yellow to white streak. Its color and transparency vary with iron (and other trace-element) content, a classic case of composition controlling appearance.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Timescale
The source states no absolute geological timescale for sphalerite formation.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Supporting findings
Sphalerite forms across a broad span of hydrothermal conditions, from low to high temperature, and is additionally found in sedimentary deposits such as limestone and coal.
Evidence grade BScope: Describes sphalerite's formation conditions and environments.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Recorded localities
Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.
Asia
- Dalnegorsk, Primorsky Krai, Russia
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Europe
- Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Neudorf, Harz Mountains, Germany
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Lengenbach quarry, Binntal, Valais, SwitzerlandHoM notes colorless crystals
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Rodna, Romania
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Áliva Mine, Picos de Europa, Cantabria, SpainHoM notes transparent crystals
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · Mindat: Sphalerite Group
- Alston Moor, Cumbria, England, United Kingdom
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
North America
- Watson Lake, Yukon, Canada
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Tri-State district (Kansas–Missouri–Oklahoma), United States
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Elmwood mine, near Carthage, Tennessee, United States
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Eagle mine, Gilman district, Colorado, United States
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Cananea, Sonora, Mexico
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
South America
- Huarón, Peru
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Casapalca, Peru
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
- Huancavelica, Peru
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.
Causes of colour and optical effects
Sphalerite's hue varies widely—from colorless through dark brown, gray and black, and commonly brown, yellow, red or green—and iron-rich material turns opaque; composition, above all iron content, governs both colour and transparency.
Evidence grade BScope: Describes the compositional (especially iron) basis of sphalerite's color and transparency.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Sphalerite has a resinous to adamantine luster, with a pale brown to pale yellow and white streak.
Evidence grade BScope: Describes sphalerite's luster and streak.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Where the name comes from
Sphalerite's English name stems from a Greek word meaning 'treacherous', because the mineral is occasionally mistaken for galena yet contains no lead.
Evidence grade BScope: Etymology explains the origin of the name only; it does not establish the material's composition, locality, naturalness, or treatment.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Other research findings
Sphalerite has the formula (Zn,Fe)S, is trimorphous with matraite and wurtzite, and belongs to the sphalerite group.
Evidence grade BScope: Concerns sphalerite's composition, polymorphism, and group.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Sphalerite is the most important ore of zinc; its name comes from the Greek word for treacherous, as it is sometimes mistaken for galena but yields no lead.
Evidence grade BScope: Concerns sphalerite's naming and ore status, not genesis.
Sources Handbook of Mineralogy
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The source states no absolute age or specific P-T conditions for sphalerite formation.
- The source does not quantify the specific relationship between iron content and color/transparency.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Sphalerite
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1 “Sphalerite” · IMA Mineral List 2026-07 “Sphalerite”
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
Sphalerite is Sphalerite (ZnS); use "Sphalerite" for listings, and disclose any known treatments.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.1, row 闪锌矿 (Sphalerite)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Sphalerite" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Care and wear
Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:
- Handle it gently.
- Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
- Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
- Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.
The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.
Care
Sphalerite — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Sphalerite, p.77; §6.2 j (locator checked 2026-09-25)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Sphalerite — care (wear): Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear them with care.
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code a
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
- Source
- CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022) (CIBJO): §8 Annex C, Sphalerite, p.77; §6.2 a (locator checked 2026-09-25)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-25
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Common care questions and matching entries
CleaningSphalerite must not go in an ultrasonic cleaner; this is the cleaning and care conclusion the official CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022) gives for Sphalerite, and it applies to any treatment state. WearThe same source also states that Sphalerite is soft and scratches easily, so it should be worn with care, again for any treatment state.
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| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner? | care (cleaning) |
| Wearing limits (knocks, settings) | care (wear) |
Durability and wearing
Numbers in curly braces, such as {111}, are crystallographic face symbols (Miller indices): each marks a set of crystal faces or cleavage planes. They are reproduced as written in the cited source.
Toughness
Brittle
Cleavage
Perfect on {011}
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Besides Sphalerite, the name register records "Zinc Blende", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded (CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 Annex 8 “Zinc Blende”).
Standard and listing namesThe GB/T 16552—2017 formal name for Sphalerite is given in Table A.1, the suggested listing name is also Sphalerite, and the mineralogical name is Sphalerite (ZnS). Names in four languagesThe four-language names are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Sphalerite) and Japanese (a transliteration and a kanji name), the kanji name also being the Japanese GSJ formal name. Trade and mineralogical namesZinc Blende is a registered English synonym, based on Annex 8 of the CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022, with no restriction on its use as a name recorded. Institution usageAmong authority wordings, CIBJO lists Sphalerite (CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024), the FTC source text has no wording for this name (checked), and GIA and Gem-A have not been checked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position.
Name register
Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.
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| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no restriction recorded (1) | ||||
| Zinc BlendeEnglish | synonym | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 Annex 8 “Zinc Blende” |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- 閃亜鉛鉱
- Chinese formal name
- 闪锌矿 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1)
- Mineralogical name
- Sphalerite (ZnS)
- Trade names and synonyms
- Zinc Blende (synonym)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 闪锌矿
- 繁體中文
- 閃鋅礦
- English
- Sphalerite
- 日本語
- スファレライト／閃亜鉛鉱
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Natural materials
- Material domain
- Natural inorganic gem materials
- Browsing family
- Sulfide minerals
- Identity tier
- Mineral species
- Mineral chemical class
- Sulfides / sulfosalts
- Construction or treatment status
- Natural identity; treatment status unknown
What it is and how it's identified
The composition of Sphalerite is ZnS, with zinc often replaced by iron, and iron, manganese, cadmium, gallium, indium, germanium, mercury and other elements commonly incorporated by isomorphous substitution; the structure is crystalline and cubic. Mohs hardness is 3.5–4, and this site's registration notes that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability; density is 3.9–4.1 g/cm³, and this site notes that the clause has further sub-grades and the overall value is registered. The optic character is isotropic; refractive index is 2.369, which this site notes is a typical value under normal conditions rather than an absolute limit, with further sub-grades in the clause and the overall value registered; there is no birefringence, and dispersion is 0.156. When untreated, there is no pleochroism, and the lustre is adamantine to submetallic, becoming stronger with higher Fe content.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Definition
Sphalerite — nomenclature status: IMA status A: approved (accepted by the IMA after it was set up in 1958).
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Sphalerite — composition (chemistry): ZnS. Isomorphous impurities such as Fe, Mn, Cd, Ga, In, Ge and Hg are common, as are mechanical impurities from minerals carrying Cu, Sn, Sb and Bi. Fe commonly substitutes for Zn.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Sphalerite — composition (phase): sphalerite
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Structure
Sphalerite — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — structure (crystal system): cubic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — structure (crystal habit): Crystals occur as tetrahedra or as combinations of simple forms such as the cube and the rhombic dodecahedron; colloform sphalerite generally occurs as granular, botryoidal or concentric aggregates. Contact twinning and polysynthetic twinning are the common twin types.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Durability
Sphalerite — Mohs hardness: 3.5–4
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Physical properties
Sphalerite — density: 3.9–4.1 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Sphalerite — optic character: isotropic material
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — refractive index: 2.369
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives this as a typical value. It is a common value, not an absolute limit.
- General note
- the clause has finer ranges
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — birefringence: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — dispersion: 0.156
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — transparency: transparent to translucent.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Sphalerite — pleochroism: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — fluorescence (overall): none; a few orange-red; some may phosphoresce after friction.
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescencea few: orange-redDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — spectrum (UV-visible): 651 nm absorption peak; 667 nm absorption peak; 690 nm absorption peak.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — spectrum (infrared): Sphalerite's diagnostic absorption bands lie in the far IR
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Sphalerite — magnification: gas-liquid inclusions, mineral inclusions, twin striations, color band.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
body colour2 sources compared
Sphalerite — body colour: Yellow, orange, red, brown, green.
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Qualification
In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Mali Garnet, Titanite / Sphene, Andesine and other entries also name yellow or a yellowish colour.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Sphalerite — body colour: colourless to light yellow, brown to black and similar colours, darkening as the iron content rises. Opaque sphalerite is black or brown; transparent to translucent sphalerite is yellow, yellow-green, green, orange-red, yellowish brown and similar colours.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Titanite / Sphene, Beryl, Garnet and other variety clauses also name colourless.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
How the sources relate
- CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 and GB/T 16553—2017
Both list yellow, brown, green, and orange-to-red colours (GB/T 16553—2017 says orange-red, the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book lists orange and red separately). GB/T 16553—2017 also lists colourless and black, notes that the colour deepens as iron content rises, and describes opaque and transparent material separately.
- CIBJO definitions
- chatoyancy
Quality factors
Sphalerite — quality factor (lustre): adamantine to submetallic; the higher the Fe content, the stronger the luster.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.47 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 2.369 / 4; Closest values: 1Diamond 2.417 / 3.52, 2Artificial Strontium Titanate 2.409 / 5.13, 3Synthetic Moissanite 2.67 / 3.22, 4Rutile 2.753 / 4.23, 5Synthetic Rutile 2.76 / 4.26
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Testing and market
How far testing can go
Sphalerite — synthetic counterpart on the market: No synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available
CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-22
- Source
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-22
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Clause-level definitions
Sphalerite has a direct definition in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 under the entry Sphalerite, recorded as the mineral species sphalerite, IMA status A, with the CIBJO wording quoted in full under Clause-level definitions on this page; the cross-check result is: defined directly by CIBJO, and also appears in the GB/T annex. There is also an IMA Mineral List entry named Sphalerite, recorded as Sphalerite ZnS A 1980 s.p., cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list and marked as public domain data.
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| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sphalerite | 7.2.1.224 | Yellow, orange, red, brown, green, transparent to translucent | Defined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex. |
| Sphalerite | IMA Mineral List entry | Sphalerite ZnS A 1980 s.p. | Cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list (public domain data). |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- RRUFF Project, in partnership with the IMA – International Mineralogical Association. IMA Mineral List.
- Geological Survey of Japan, AIST (Japan). Museum mineral specimens, browse by classification.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
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| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Sulfide minerals | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Sphalerite entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.