sphalerite
/ˈsfalərʌɪt
/noun [mass noun]
A shiny mineral, yellow to dark brown or black in colour, consisting of zinc sulphide.The crystals are perched on quartz along with rosin-colored sphalerite showing the black tarnish reported by Hurst....
- Black sphalerite is found within the gold-quartz vein and in the adjacent country rock.
- Marmatite is the black, high-iron variety of sphalerite.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from Greek sphaleros 'deceptive' + -ite1. Compare with blende.