Smithsonite (480) - image 1
Smithsonite (480) - image 2
specimen video

Smithsonite (480)

Unknown Owner
Gorgeous pink lustrous translucent rhombohedral crystals of smithsonite measuring to 1.5 cm in size aesthetic across the front of matrix. This is in excellent condition. The specimen was on display at the 2026 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.Pink smithsonite from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia formed in the oxidized zone of the mines famous polymetallic orebody that contained copper, lead, and zinc minerals. The Tsumeb deposit was mined from the late 19th century until the 1990s and became renowned for its exceptional mineral diversity and high quality specimens. Smithsonite, a zinc carbonate mineral, developed there as botryoidal crusts and smooth rounded masses, often showing attractive pink coloration caused by trace elements. Specimens from Tsumeb are highly valued by collectors because of their color, luster, and association with one of the worlds most celebrated mineral localities.

Product details

Species
SmithsoniteAbout Smithsonite →
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions5.5 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm
Added on03/11/2026
Locality
Namibia, Oshikoto Region, TsumebRegional guide →

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
06/2026Unknown Owner$3,500.00
—Weinrich MineralsNot disclosed

Learn more

Smithsonite
Mineral guide
Learn about Smithsonite
ZnCO3 with botryoidal and crystalline forms, silky to vitreous luster, pastel hues from cobalt to yellow; localities boost collecting appeal.
Smithsonite
Regional guide
Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia
is one of the defining collector minerals of Tsumeb: not merely because it is common there, but because Tsumeb turns a usually massive or botryoidal zinc carbonate into a locality signature mineral with uncommon crystal variety, depth of color, and association. Tsumeb smithsonite spans the familiar apple-greens and blue-greens of copper-bearing material, soft pink to violet-pink cobaltoan and manganoan-looking rhombs, yellow-brown and chocolate-brown iron-rich crystals, pale grey to white crusts, colorless to translucent rhombs, and rare red-pink material from the deeper oxidized workings. The best specimens combine sharp rhombohedral or scalenohedral crystals with the sculptural mineralogical theater for which Tsumeb is famous: galena-rich sulfide matrix, sugary dolomite, black tennantite and pyrite ore, cerussite, mimetite, malachite, wulfenite, duftite, dioptase, and willemite.