TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Esfalerita

Esfalerita is a mineral with formula (Zn,Fe)S, in the Sulfuros group. This specimen comes from Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, Estados Unidos and joined the Terrium collection in 2026.

Esfalerita from Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, Estados Unidos — Terrium

Description

Small-cabinet specimen of aggregates of dark brown translucent sphalerite with bright lustre.

About Esfalerita

Sphalerite is the principal ore of zinc and one of the most studied species for its variable iron content, which modifies colour and lustre. Elmwood pieces, with amber to ruby hues and high lustre, are among the most prized worldwide.

About the locality

Elmwood is a classic world-class mine for sphalerite, calcite and barite, both in shared paragenesis and separately. The best specimens come from its classic period, when operations allowed pieces to reach the market through the miners themselves. In 2010 the company Nyrstar reopened it after more than thirty years closed due to low zinc profitability, but prohibited specimen extraction and threatened immediate dismissal for anyone doing so. It closed definitively on 31 December 2023. Much fine material came from Elmwood, but no more will come out.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0337
Composition
(Zn,Fe)S
Name
Esfalerita
Group
Sulfuros
Category
Cupidium
Associations
calcita
Mine
Elmwood Mine
District / Municipality
Carthage
Province
Smith County
Region
Tennessee
Country
Estados Unidos
Size (cm)
7.2 x 5.7 x 4
Weight
286.4 g
Acquired
2026
Etymology
From the Greek "sphaleros" (σφαλερός), meaning 'deceptive' or 'treacherous'. It was named for its resemblance to galena, the principal lead ore, but lead could not be extracted from it, which frustrated ancient miners.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Al alza

Related specimens

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