Smithsonite (1683) - image 1
Smithsonite (1683) - image 2
specimen video

Smithsonite (1683)

Unknown Owner
Large sharp lustrous rhombohedral crystals of smithsonite measuring to 1.5 cm in size very nice on matrix. This is in excellent condition. The specimen comes with a large series of previous labels, including several from the collection of Dawn and Jim and Minette.Smithsonite from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia formed in the oxidized zone of a large copper lead zinc deposit hosted in dolomite. As primary zinc sulfide minerals weathered, zinc rich solutions produced secondary minerals such as smithsonite. The Tsumeb Mine operated for many decades during the 20th century and became famous for producing a wide variety of rare and colorful minerals.

Product details

Species
SmithsoniteAbout Smithsonite →
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions6.5 x 6.0 x 3.0 cm
Added on03/28/2026
Locality
Namibia, Oshikoto Region, TsumebRegional guide →

Known provenance

DateCollectorAcquisition price
05/2026Unknown Owner$1,500.00
—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.