SPHALERITE, QUARTZ, MANGANOCALCITE (small cabinet)

Manganoan calcite, also known as manganocalcite, is a manganese-rich variety of calcite that exhibits a pink hue. Its chemical composition is represented by the formula (Ca,Mn)CO3. Initially identified in the Banská Štiavnica Mining District of the Slovak Republic, this mineral is found globally, with notable occurrences in the Cave of Swords in Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico, and in Bulgaria.

There is often confusion between manganoan calcite and rhodochrosite due to their similarities. The manganese content in manganoan calcite can vary by location, and it exists in a solid solution series with calcite and rhodochrosite, resulting in a deeper red color as the manganese concentration increases.

Sphalerite, a sulfide mineral represented by the formula (Zn, Fe)S, serves as the primary source of zinc. This mineral occurs in various types of deposits, predominantly in sedimentary exhalative, Mississippi-Valley type, and volcanogenic massive sulfide formations. It is commonly found alongside other minerals such as galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and various carbonates and silicates, including calcite, dolomite, quartz, rhodochrosite, and fluorite.