Sphalerite oval pendant sterling silver
$100.00
Hand polished sphalerite sterling silver oval bezel necklace.
Sphalerite is zinc sulfide (ZnS) found throughout the world. In the 1800s it was known as "blende", or "zinc blende." In its pure form, sphalerite is colorless. However, this is extremely rare in nature. Gem quality sphalerite exhibits green or orange hues that can be cut with brilliant dispersion.
Most sphalerite features zinc that has been replaced by Fe or other elements lending a resinous brown or black appearance and this is what typically occurs in Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) deposits.
This particular example was collected from late Ordovician dolomitic shales in Illinois. Below, I have supplied an XRF analysis of its composition, if you're into that sort of thing.
