Smithsonite

$500.00

$40.00 shipping
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Smithsonite is a classic example of an allochromatic mineral - a mineral which when totally pure is colourless but is strongly influenced by traces of other elements which provide colour. For example the presence of cobalt creates bright bubblegum pink, cadmium produces shades of yellow and orange and copper equates to green or blue hues. Oddly, the influence of these colouring agents also appear to have a effect upon the crystal form presented by the Smithsonite. For example it is largely unheard of to find large, rhombic, green coloured crystals of Cuprian Smithsonite. Instead, Cuprian Smithsonite is nearly always finely crystallized, either as botryoidal crusts or sugary sparry microcrystals as replacement casts, or as sparkling finely crystallized crusts. This very lovely small miniature specimen is from the famous Tsumeb mine in Namibia which is renowned for its diverse range of coloured Smithsonite. Although small, the brightness of vibrancy of the green colour is exceptional, making this an extremely choice miniature. Ex Weyand collection.