Smithsonite (Cuprian)

Unknown Owner

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The finest and most lustrous, deep green cuprian smithsonites from this unusual mine were recovered in the early 1990s (George Godas and George Stevens with John Callahan) and sold at Tucson and to local collectors of the area. Valenzuela, Frank was cut in early on the find, and purchased this piece from the miners before the Tucson Show of 1993. This is a superb, 3-dimensional, bubbly smithsonite with unusually uniform and rich color. The periphery is free of matrix and is highly translucent - the photos convey some of that by noting a lighter color, where light comes through from behind, on the edges. Specimens of this quality are hard to come by today. There have been new finds, a few new pockets here over the last 20 years, but in general this first and earliest find is regarded as most desirable. Joe Budd Photos.