Comparison · Arsenate Minerals vs Sulfide Minerals
Mimetite vs Sphalerite
Mimetite and Sphalerite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Mimetite and Sphalerite
- Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Mimetite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Sphalerite leaves brownish white to pale yellow.
- Mimetite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 7.24 versus 4.05 for Sphalerite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Mimetite is translucent, Sphalerite is transparent.
- They overlap in yellow, brown, and green, but Mimetite also comes in orange and white and Sphalerite also comes in black and red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Mimetite is hexagonal, Sphalerite is cubic.
Mimetite vs Sphalerite properties
| Property | Mimetite | Sphalerite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Arsenate Minerals | Sulfide Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Luster | resinous | resinous |
| Streak | White | Brownish white to pale yellow |
| Transparency | translucent | transparent |
| Specific gravity | 7.24 | 4.05 |
| Crystal system | hexagonal | cubic |
| Common colors | Yellow, Orange, Yellow-brown, Pale green, White | Brown, Black, Yellow, Red, Green |
| Rarity | uncommon | common |
| Typical specimen value | $15–$600+ | $5–$600+ |
Which is more valuable?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $70 for Sphalerite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
About Mimetite
Mimetite is a lead arsenate mineral that forms in the weathered zones of lead ore deposits. It is admired for its rounded botryoidal crusts and barrel-shaped crystals in warm yellow, orange, and brown tones.
About Sphalerite
Sphalerite is zinc sulfide, the most important ore of zinc. It ranges from honey-yellow and green to brown and black, with a distinctive resinous to adamantine luster and perfect dodecahedral cleavage in six directions.
Mimetite vs Sphalerite FAQ
Is Mimetite the same as Sphalerite?
No. Mimetite is a arsenate mineral while Sphalerite is a sulfide mineral. Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Mimetite from Sphalerite?
Both sit near Mohs 3.75, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Mimetite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Sphalerite leaves brownish white to pale yellow. Mimetite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 7.24 versus 4.05 for Sphalerite).
Which is harder, Mimetite or Sphalerite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 3.75.
Which is more valuable, Mimetite or Sphalerite?
Mimetite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $70 for Sphalerite, and premium Mimetite can reach $600 or more.
