THE SPHALERITE GROUP OF MINERALS

The Sphalerite Group is composed of minerals with a similar isometric structure and related chemistry. It is named for its most common member, sphalerite. The general formula for this group is AX The A can be either cadmium, zinc, mercury or iron. The X can be either sulfur, tellurium or selenium.

The following are the members of the Sphalerite Group of minerals:

• Coloradoite (Mercury Telluride)
• Hawleyite (Cadmium Sulfide)
• Metacinnabar (Mercury Sulfide)
• Sphalerite (Zinc Iron Sulfide)
• Stilleite (Zinc Selenide)
• Tiemannite (Mercury Selenide)