Cuprian Smithsonite - image 1
Cuprian Smithsonite - image 2
specimen video

Cuprian Smithsonite

$700.00

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Crystal Classics
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Tucson, Arizona, USA
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Cuprian Smithsonite - the green, copper-rich variety - is one of the rarest forms of Smithsonite and typically forms botryoidal aggregates with poorly defined crystals. This very rich miniature specimen is from Tsumeb mine, which is one of the best sources of high quality Cuprian Smithsonite. This quite dense piece, is 95% Cuprian Smithsonite, forming a pure crystallized layer varying from 0.5 to 1 cm in thickness. It grows upon a very thin piece of oxidized matrix and two small spots within the Cuprian Smithsonite contain deep purple-red Cuprite surrounded by a veneer of green Malachite. Another small spot is lined with olive-green microcrystals of possible Olivenite or Duftite. Most notable is the well-crystallized nature of the Cuprian Smithsonite. Its upper surface is rough and finely crystallized, with magnification revealing many 3 to 4 mm wide triangular clusters of small stacked crystals. For Cuprian Smithsonite this is very well crystallized and with a quite deep green colour compared with many specimens.

Product details

Species
SmithsoniteAbout Smithsonite →
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions7.0 x 4.3 x 2.7 cm
Listed on07/30/2025
Locality
Namibia, Oshikoto Region, TsumebRegional guide →
SKUCC51902

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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.