Esfalerita Cleiofana o Blenda acaramelada
Esfalerita is a mineral with formula ZnS, in the Sulfuros group. This specimen comes from Las Mánforas, Áliva, Camaleño, Cantabria, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Gem-quality "caramel" sphalerite. Translucent gem-quality sphalerite crystal, with intense caramel colour and reddish, honey and orange reflections in transmitted light. Shows a complex habit, with well-defined edges, minimal contact area and no damage. Strong vitreous lustre and full volume, with exceptional presence for the locality.
History of this specimen
I see it as an uncut gem. One of those pieces that define what "caramel sphalerite" really means when Áliva is discussed. It has its own entry on FMF https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/download.php?id=107211
About Esfalerita
Sphalerite is the principal zinc mineral. At Áliva it may occur as opaque masses or, exceptionally, as translucent crystals in honey, amber or deep red tones. These gem-quality cleiophanes are the aesthetic pinnacle of the locality and are very scarce.
About the locality
The Áliva mines, in the Picos de Europa, now closed, are celebrated for their "caramel" sphalerite. Also called Las Mánforas, a name derived from the concession "La Almanzora", they attracted little interest for centuries: only hand-picked galena was collected to glaze pottery, and the harsh environment made exploitation almost impossible. The altitude limited work to June–October because of snow and extreme weather. After industrialisation, in the 1970s more than 600,000 tonnes of ore were extracted. They closed for good in the late 1990s.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0041
- Composition
- ZnS
- Name
- Esfalerita
- Variety
- Cleiofana o Blenda acaramelada
- Group
- Sulfuros
- Category
- Cupidium
- Mine
- Las Mánforas
- District / Municipality
- Áliva
- Province
- Camaleño
- Region
- Cantabria
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 3 x 3 x 2
- Weight
- 28 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- From the Greek "sphaleros", "deceptive", for its resemblance to galena. It is the principal ore mineral of zinc.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España