Where to Find Sphalerite in Utah

Utah sphalerite is the zinc counterpart to the galena that drove the state's lead-silver districts. Tintic sphalerite from Eureka and Mammoth is often dark brown to black, with cleavable masses in dolomite alongside galena and pyrite. Park City–Ontario carries lighter honey-brown sphalerite in vugs of dolomite breccia, and the San Francisco district at Frisco adds resin-amber crystals on quartz. Smaller occurrences in the Gold Hill district produce green-tinted sphalerite from the lead-zinc-arsenic ore bodies. Surface dump material is usually weathered to smithsonite or hemimorphite; fresh sphalerite needs underground or deep-dump access. The most productive ground is in Tintic district (Juab County), Park City–Ontario workings (Summit County), Frisco district (Beaver County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like sphalerite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Utah, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Tintic district (Juab County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Park City–Ontario workings (Summit County), Frisco district (Beaver County).