SPHALERITE





 Location Found: Franklin and Ogdensburg
     
 
     
 Formula: ZnS
 Essential Elements: Sulfur, Zinc
 All Elements in Formula: Sulfur, Zinc
     
 IMA Status: Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
     
Fluorescent Mineral Properties

 Shortwave UV light: Orange, blue, orange-yellow, yellow-orange, green, lavender, and pink
 Mid wave UV light: Orange, blue, orange-yellow, yellow-orange, green, lavender, and pink
 Longwave UV light: Orange, blue, orange-yellow, yellow-orange, green, lavender, and pink, generally of moderate brightness
 Additional Information: Phosphoresces orange, blue, orange-yellow, yellow-orange, green, lavender, and pink. Generally fluoresces best at longwave
     
 To find out more about this mineral at minDat's website, follow this link   Sphalerite

     
 References:
Dunn, Pete J. (1995). Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits. Franklin, NJ.: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society. p.539

Frondel, Clifford (1972). The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, a checklist. NY.: John Willey & Sons. p.77


The Picking Table References
 PT Issue and PageDescription / Comment
V. 64, No. 2 - Fall 2023, pg. 27The Camptonite Dike at Franklin–What Is It Really? Part Two, Mineralogy, David Vonderheide
View IssueV. 62, No. 2 – Fall 2021, pg. 14Green-fluorescing Sphalerite: A Franklin/Sterling Hill Rarity, Chris Luzier (Long article, a lot of pictures)
View IssueV. 58, No. 1 - Spring 2017, pg. 17Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, N.J., Part 2, Richard C. Bostwick - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 47, Combined Issue 2006, pg. 33An Odd Little Sphalerite Tale Stephen Sanford
View IssueV. 45, No. 1 - Spring 2004, pg. 14The Art of Fluorescent Mineral Photography, With Special Attention to the Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill Photographing the More Popular Franklin and Sterling Hill Fluorescent Minerals - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 41, No. 1 - Spring 2000, pg. 14A Scheelite-bearing Assemblage From Franklin, New Jersey By Robert E. Jenkins II - Sphalerite (Small Description)
View IssueV. 35, No. 2 - Fall 1994, pg. 21A Complex Base-Metal Assemblage From the Sterling Mine New Jersey - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 33, No. 2 - Fall 1992, pg. 11The Check List of Franklin-Sterling Hill Fluorescent Minerals - Sphalerite (Fluorescent Info)
View IssueV. 31, No. 1 - Spring 1990, pg. 3Breithauptite From The Nickel-Arsenide Assemblage at Franklin, New Jersey, Sphalerite (small description)
View IssueV. 27 No. 2 - Fall 1986, pg. 9Minerals of the Franklin Quarry, Philip P. Betancourt, Sphalerite
View IssueV. 27, No. 1 - Spring 1986, pg. 3Sphalerite at Franklin, N.J.
View IssueV. 24 No. 2 - Fall 1983, pg. 18Minerals of the Buckwheat Dolomite Franklin, New Jersey, Sphalerite (small description)
View IssueV. 18, No. 2 - September 1977, pg. 18The Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, NJ by Richard C. Bostwick - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 17, No. 2 - September 1976, pg. 3The Fluorescent Corner - Golden Sphalerite (small article)
View IssueV. 17, No. 1 - March 1976, pg. 6Sterling Hill Minerals - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 13, No. 2 - August 1972, pg. 13The Fluorescent Minerals of Franklin/Ogdensburg Area by Frank Z. Edwards - Sphalerite (Fluorescent Info)
View IssueV. 10, No. 1 - February 1969, pg. 12Additional Mineral Notes - Sphalerite
View IssueV. 7, No. 2 - August 1966, pg. 13The Minerals of Sterling Hill 1962-65 by Frank Z. Edwards - Sphalerite
     
Images

     
Weathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozinciteWeathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozincite under longwave UV Light
Weathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozincite from Sterling Hill Mine.
Weathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozincite from Sterling Hill Mine, in longwave UV light the sphalerite fluoresces orange and blue.
Weathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozincite under shortwave UV Light
Weathered sphalerite, calcite, and hydrozincite from Sterling Hill Mine, under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange, blue.


Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ.Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ. under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ. Photo by JVF.
Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ under longwave UV light. Sphalerite fluoresces orange, purple, blue and the willemite green, franklinite and this calcite is non-fluorescent. Photo by JVF.
Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ. under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite vein in willemite, calcite, franklinite ore from Sterling Hill, NJ under shortwave UV light. Calcite fluoresces red and the willemite green, franklinite is non-fluorescent. Photo by JVF.


Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and chrysotile from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ.Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and chrysotile from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite (beige to pinkish tan), willemite (dark red), franklinite (black) and chrysotile (dark brown) from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. From the collection of J. Thomas Jacob. Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and chrysotile from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces golden orange and lavender (caused by phosphorescence), the franklinite, willemite and chrysotile are non-fluorescent. From the collection of J. Thomas Jacob. Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and chrysotile from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and chrysotile from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces dark orange and lavender (caused by phosphorescence) and the willemite green, the franklinite and chrysotile are non-fluorescent. From the collection of J. Thomas Jacob. Photo by WP.


Gray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJGray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under longwave UV Light
Gray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ. 2" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.
Gray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces light purple, blue and orange. 2" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.
Gray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Gray sphalerite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange-yellow. 2" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.


Mahogany sphalerite with sphalerite vein, willemite, calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJMahogany sphalerite with sphalerite vein, willemite, calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under longwave UV Light
Mahogany sphalerite (red-brown) with sphalerite vein (yellow-green), willemite (light red), calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ. 4 1/4" x 2". Photo by WP.
Mahogany sphalerite with sphalerite vein, willemite, calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under longwave UV light. The mahogany sphalerite fluoresces red-orange, sphalerite vein orange, willemite green, the franklinite and calcite are non-fluorescent. 4 1/4" x 2". Photo by WP.
Mahogany sphalerite with sphalerite vein, willemite, calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Mahogany sphalerite with sphalerite vein, willemite, calcite, franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under shortwave UV light. The mahogany sphalerite fluoresces weak red, willemite green, the sphalerite vein, franklinite and calcite are non-fluorescent. 4 1/4" x 2". Photo by WP.


Sphalerite, calcite, franklinite from Franklin, NJSphalerite, calcite, franklinite from Franklin, NJ under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite (light gray to light straw, translucent), calcite (white), franklinite (black) from Franklin, NJ. 1 1 1/4" x 1". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, calcite, franklinite from Franklin, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces blue, light purple, pink and peach, the calcite is not fluorescing and franklinite is non-fluorescent. 1 1/4" x 1". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, calcite, franklinite from Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite, calcite, franklinite from Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange, calcite red-orange and the franklinite is non-fluorescent. 1 1/4" x 1". Photo by WP.


Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ.Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ. under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite (golden brown), willemite (red), franklinite (black) and minor calcite (white), from Franklin, NJ. 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". From the collection of, and photo by Robert A. Boymistruk.
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange and blue-violet, willemite green, the calcite is not fluorescing and franklinite is non-fluorescent. 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". From the collection of, and photo by Robert A. Boymistruk.
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ. under midwave UV LightSphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ. under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ under mid-wave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange-red and purple, willemite green, calcite light red and the franklinite is non-fluorescent. 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". From the collection of, and photo by Robert A. Boymistruk.
Sphalerite, willemite, franklinite and minor calcite, from Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces red, willemite green, calcite orange-red and the franklinite is non-fluorescent. 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". From the collection of, and photo by Robert A. Boymistruk.


Sphalerite, red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJSphalerite, red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite (light green to clear), red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ. 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces orange-pink to pink to lavender, willemite green and the franklinite is non-fluorescent. 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite, red willemite and franklinite from Sterling Hill Mine, Ogdensburg, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces weak red-orange, willemite green and the franklinite is non-fluorescent. 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Photo by WP.


Sphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJSphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ. 1 3/4" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces dark blue and light purple, microcline feldspar weak red, the willemite is not fluorescing. 1 3/4" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite, microcline feldspar, minor willemite from the Buckwheat dump Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces light purple and orange, microcline feldspar weak red and the willemite green. 1 3/4" x 1 1/2". Photo by WP.


Sphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite, franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJSphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite, franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJ under longwave UV Light
Sphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite (pink), franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJ. 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite, franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJ under longwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces light blue, willemite weak dark green, the calcite, zincite and franklinite are non-fluorescent. 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". Photo by WP.
Sphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite, franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV Light
Sphalerite variety cleiophane, willemite, calcite, franklinite, and minor zincite from Franklin, NJ under shortwave UV light. The sphalerite fluoresces blue, willemite green, the calcite, zincite and franklinite are non-fluorescent. 3 1/4" x 2 1/2". Photo by WP.







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