| The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-07. |
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| sphalerite |
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(sf l´ r t, sf ´–) (KEY) , mineral composed of zinc sulfide, usually containing some iron and a little cadmium. It occurs in crystals of the isometric system but more generally in cleavable, compact masses. It is transparent to translucent and varies greatly in color, iron-free specimens being pale yellow and those with iron being brown, red, black, or green. The most important source of zinc, sphalerite is a widely distributed mineral that commonly occurs in association with galena. It is found in large deposits in many parts of the world. |
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| | | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright © 2007 Columbia University Press. |
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