Wurtzite / Sphalerite
Wurtzite / Sphalerite
Wurtzite / Sphalerite

Wurtzite / Sphalerite

€96,00
SKU: A669
Mererani, Merelani Hills, Lelatema Mountains, Simanjiro District, Manyara Region, Tanzania
A very attractive piece with a beautiful reddish brown colour; very good gloss.
2.3 x 1.7 x 1.3 cm
6.7 g

The rare wurtzite (beta-ZnS) is found in Tanzania as a brown to strong red crystal and crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system. Zinc blende (alpha-ZnS) or sphalerite, on the other hand, crystallizes cubically. In fact, the two minerals are hardly clearly distinguishable visually and require more complex analysis methods. In Tanzania, both are called sphalerite.