Sphalerite
(Zn,Fe)S

Sphalerite is common in all rock environments at Mont Saint-Hilaire. Several large gemstones have been cut.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is varies from yellow, green, brown, red, orange, black or colorless.
Luster is adamantine to dull.
Diaphaneity is transparent to opaque (on black crystals).
Crystal System is isometric; F43m.
Crystal Habits include simple tetrahedra to 7cm, tetrahedra, pseudo-
   octahedra, dodecahedra, modified dodecahedra and flat twinned
   pseudohexagonal crystals.
Cleavage {011} is perfect.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 3.5 - 4.
Specific Gravity is approximately 4.05 g/cm³.
Streak is pale brown to white.
Associated Minerals include numerous minerals.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and luster.
Origin: Named in 1847 from the Greek sphaleros, mistaken, as
   the mineral was being mistaken for galena but yielding no lead.