Smithsonite

Unknown Owner

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This is an exquisite miniature with the rare crystallization style of smithsonite seldom found anywhere. Kelly Mine smithsonites are famous the world over for bubbly, translucent rounded growths in the shape of balls (the term is botryoidal) and nearly all specimens, indeed, are this style. However, rarely, some specimens were found with these odd "rice grain" crystals which are both crystalline and rounded at the same time. This is nearly unique to Kelly and certainly with the blue color, is only found here. We suspect this is a very old specimen (pieces were found by the early 1900s) and also long in the Pohl collection because her handwritten number on the bottom has added too much to read. She was collecting for 80 years or so... and that puts this in line with early finds. To be honest, the front and back are BOTH superb on this choice miniature, although the front is totally pristine and backside is not quite. It is complete around all edges, as well.