TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Esfalerita

Esfalerita is a mineral with formula ZnS, in the Sulfuros group. This specimen comes from Mina Troya, Mutiloa, Gipuzkoa, Euskadi, España and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.

Esfalerita from Mina Troya, Mutiloa, Gipuzkoa, Euskadi, España — Terrium

Description

Dark crystals with a resinous luster. Zinc sulfide.

About the locality

The Troya mine, in Mutiloa (Gipuzkoa), was worked by Exminesa between 1986 and 1993, when a collapse forced its closure. It was an underground lead and zinc gallery more than one kilometer long. Closed and flooded since 2009, today only the tailings pond remains.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0617
Internal reference
X0327
Composition
ZnS
Name
Esfalerita
Group
Sulfuros
Category
Meritum Persé
Mine
Mina Troya
District / Municipality
Mutiloa
Province
Gipuzkoa
Region
Euskadi
Country
España
Size (cm)
2.4 x 1.3 x 1.1
Weight
0.76 g
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

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