Esfalerita
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
A medium-sized cleaved piece with a very well-defined pyramidal shape, excellent transparency, and an amber color with reddish, golden, and greenish tones. Very notable vitreous-resinous luster under direct light.
History of this specimen
Antonio Barahona's son, Antonio Barahona Jr, is the one who has sold the sphalerites for 40 years, Eduardo from Geoterraminerales, who is a close friend of his, is the one who has had them for 7 years. Antonio Barahaona Jr was there when the mine closed forever and kept the last large sphalerite piece from which all the sphalerites currently left on the market have come. https://blendadealiva.blogspot.com/2014/02/esfalerita-coleccion-antonio-barahona.html
About the locality
Las Mánforas is actually La Almanzora.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0226
- Composition
- ZnS
- Name
- Esfalerita
- Group
- Sulfuros
- Category
- Cupidium
- Mine
- Las Mánforas
- District / Municipality
- Áliva
- Province
- Camaleño
- Region
- Cantabria
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 5 x 3
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the Greek «sphaleros», “deceptive”, for its resemblance to galena despite containing no lead.
- Quality
- Buena
- 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