CUBIC MINERAL

Main zinc ore, when pure (little or no Iron) its color varies from yellow translucent resin (variety Cleiophane) more orange tones (variety Ruby Blende). With the gradual increase of Iron vs Zinc it can be opaque, black and submetallic (var. Marmatite). It crystallizes in the cubic system and owes its name to the Greek word sphaleros which means "susceptible to deceive" but is also known as Blende. It occurs in hydrothermal deposits with other sulfides, such as Galena, Chalcopyrite and Pyrite.