Zinc blende is a mineral that is also known as sphalerite, blackjack, and the black-jack mineral. It is a common mineral found in many locations around the world and is often used as an ore for zinc. Zinc blende is a hard, shiny, and brittle mineral that can appear in a variety of colors, including yellow, brown, and black. Other synonyms for zinc blende include zinc sulfide, wurtzite, blende, and marcasite. These synonyms are often used interchangeably in geology and mineralogy, and they all refer to the same mineral. Zinc blende has important industrial applications and is used in the production of batteries, paints, and other materials.