FLUORITE, BARYTE AND SPHALERITE (large cabinet)

Fluorite, known as fluorspar, is the mineral variant of calcium fluoride, represented by the formula CaF2. This mineral is classified within the halide group and typically forms in an isometric cubic structure, though octahedral and other intricate isometric shapes can also be found. According to the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, fluorite is assigned a hardness value of 4, determined through scratch resistance comparisons.

Baryte, also known as barite or barytes, is a mineral composed of barium sulfate (BaSO4). Typically appearing white or colorless, barite serves as the primary source of barium. The baryte group includes barite, celestine (strontium sulfate), anglesite (lead sulfate), and anhydrite (calcium sulfate), with barite and celestine forming a solid solution represented as (Ba,Sr)SO4.

Sphalerite, a sulfide mineral represented by the chemical formula (Zn, Fe)S, serves as the principal ore for zinc extraction. This mineral occurs in various types of deposits, predominantly within sedimentary exhalative, Mississippi-Valley type, and volcanogenic massive sulfide formations. It is commonly associated with other minerals such as galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, as well as calcite, dolomite, quartz, rhodochrosite, and fluorite.