Cobaltoan Smithsonite on Tennantite with Quartz - image 1
Cobaltoan Smithsonite on Tennantite with Quartz - image 2
specimen video

Cobaltoan Smithsonite on Tennantite with Quartz

$950.00

VisaMastercardAmerican ExpressPayPalPayPal Pay In 4Discover·
  • $40.00 shipping
  • Seller offers an extended return window of up to 30 days
  • USAShips from USA

Crystal Classics
Crystal ClassicsFeatured
Tucson, Arizona, USA
7,543 for sale·132 sold
Pink cobalt-rich, or cobaltoan, Smithsonite is an iconic mineral from Tsumeb mine. This cabinet specimen displays the 'rounded' form of Cobaltoan Smithsonite crystals as opposed to the sharp rhombic crystals sometimes seen. The Cobaltoan Smithsonite crystals reach up to 7 mm in length and display a mauve colour and dull, to slightly waxy lustre. The rounded appearance is not from weathering, or abrasion, but from the development of tiny stepped crystal faces upon the larger crystal. This specimen is richly coated in Cobaltoan Smithsonite crystals underneath which is a complex assemblage of primary sulphides along with some Quartz. Close inspection of these sulphides on the underside of the specimen reveals Tennantite, Galena, Sphalerite, Pyrite, possible Renierite or Germanite and something with tiny red internal inclusions - possibly a silver sulphosalt. A fine, rich, display specimen of Cobaltoan Smithsonite with the added interest of sulphides and sulphosalts.

Product details

Species
SmithsoniteAbout Smithsonite →
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions8.8 x 8.7 x 4.5 cm
Listed on12/02/2024
Locality
Namibia, Oshikoto Region, TsumebRegional guide →
SKUCC42078

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.