Sphalerite skarn

 

Sphalerite skarn

 

Ore deposit type: Magmatic-hydrothermal, skarn type

Provenance: Tuscany (Italy)

Description: Massive marmatitic sphalerite (dark-gray crystals with submetallic luster) in hedenbergite gangue (olive-green to brown acicular crystals). In skarns, the Ca silicates, such as hedenbergite, form by reactions between magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and carbonate country rocks.

 

Link to the italian version