Tarbuttite with Smithsonite (Type Locality) - image 1

Tarbuttite with Smithsonite (Type Locality) - image 2

Tarbuttite with Smithsonite (Type Locality)

$2,250.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

3,403 for sale·Member since 2026

Tarbuttite is a very rare secondary zinc phosphate and Broken Hill in Zambia is one of the best localities for the species - and the type locality. The hollowed out display area of this piece has a natural pocket that protected the crystals; and has two separate clusters of somewhat intergrown, bladed Tarbuttite crystals. These are gorgeous, as they have good luster with the exterior having an orange color due to iron oxide association and the interior of the crystals on a small broken surface show them to be colorless. The bladed crystals are up to 1.2 cm in maximum dimension. One cluster has crystals that are well-formed and in excellent condition, the other cluster is of similar size, however, a few of the crystals have cleaved slightly to be technical: and reveal the orange/colorless zoning and bright luster on the cleavage trace. There are also two smaller clusters of intergrown crystals. There are also numerous small, 2 to 5 mm, spiky, divergent aggregates of off-white Smithsonite scattered within the recess as well as some matted patches of Smithsonite that cover or partially cover some of the Tarbuttite. This is a great secondary zinc mineral combination piece from this classic locality for these species! Rarely seen for sale, and said to be from old finds of the 1960s or earlier.