Sphalerite, ( (Zn, Fe)S), is zinc sulphide. and is also known as "Black jack " " Zinc blende " or simply " Blende " by miners. It is the chief ore of zinc, and is found in hydrothermal sulphide deposits in thousands of localities throughout the world. This specimen was collected from Snailbeach mine, in the Shelve area of Shropshire where a small area has been spread with spoil for the convenience of collectors. The specimen is a mass of sphalerite with no discernable crystals. The field of view of the inset is 6mm.