Sphalerite

specimen number:
1052626

location:
Joplin, Missouri, USA

description:

Lustrous black crystals of sphalerite measuring to 1.5 cm in size across the top of matrix. Some damage present as seen. This is a very early example from this area, the specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video. This label gives an acquisition date of 1912.

Joplin, located in the Tri-State Mining District of southwest Missouri, was once the leading producer of zinc and lead in the United States. Geologically, the region is characterized by Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposits, where mineralizing fluids replaced Mississippian-aged limestones and cherts with ore minerals such as sphalerite and galena. These minerals typically occur in brecciated zones and solution cavities, often accompanied by world-class crystallized specimens of calcite, dolomite, and chalcopyrite. Historically, mining and quarrying activities began around 1848 following the discovery of lead, but the industry surged in the 1870s with the official founding of Joplin and the realization of the massive zinc potential. The district reached its production peak during World War I and World War II, providing a significant portion of the metals used for the global war efforts. While most large-scale commercial operations ceased by the late 1950s due to the depletion of high-grade ores and falling market prices, the legacy of the mines remains visible in the landscape and local history.

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