large rare Smithsonite (Arkansas!) ex. Seaman Museum Coll.

Item Description

A massive, dramatically sculptural, old-time smithsonite from this classic mining district of Arkansas. The translucent, gray, bubbly botryoids have waxy luster and the secondary coatings of cadmium-rich smithsonite really adds color and pizzazz to this amazing piece. I have never myself seen a piece like this, as they were found a long time ago and simply are not available in any collection I know of to view. The Morning Star Mine was the first discovery of zinc ore in the district in the 1880's. Extraordinarily large masses of smithsonite (to 12,750 pounds = about 5,800 kg) were encountered here (MINDAT). This one came out of the Seaman Museum, where it had originally been part of the collection of Prof. William Heinrich. Though the color is "challenged" the overall look of the piece is actually, surprisingly, attractive. I rate this for the locality as a fairly significant US smithsonite specimen. Ex James Zigras Collection. Valued by the former owner at $4500 for rarity, size and quality. Mass is 4.2 pounds or 1.9 kilos.