a usually brownish mineral, (Zn,Fe)S, the chief ore of zinc; zinc iron sulfide
See sphalerite in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(sfălˈə-rītˌ)
noun
The primary ore of zinc, occurring in usually yellow-brown or brownish-black crystals or cleavage masses, essentially ZnS with some cadmium, iron, and manganese. Also called blende, zinc blende.