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
Caramel in colour and form. Translucent sphalerite crystal of intense reddish-amber colour, with smooth faces, high adamantine lustre and strong internal transparency. Displays colour zoning visible in transmitted light, which accentuates its sculptural aspect.
History of this specimen
One of two caramel sphalerites, so named for both colour and form.
About Esfalerita
Sphalerite is a zinc sulphide that crystallises in the cubic system. In high-quality specimens, such as those from Áliva, it can show exceptional transparency and colours ranging from honey to deep red due to iron impurities. It has a characteristic adamantine lustre and is valued in collections for the perfection of its crystal forms.
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 galena was hand-collected to glaze ceramics, and the harsh environment made exploitation almost impossible. The altitude limited work to June–October because of snow and the extreme climate. After industrialisation, in the 1970s more than 600,000 tonnes of ore were extracted.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0152
- 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 2.5 x 1.4
- Weight
- 25 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- From Greek "sphaleros" ("deceptive"), referring to its appearance being easily confused with other minerals.
- 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