Smithsonite

Item Description

Smithsonite is one of the few signature species in Berg Aukas, aside from Descloizite perhaps; and such specimens often got sold out of dealerships in Tsumeb and mislabelled as such for decades at the time they came out in the 1960s-early 1980s. This attractive miniature is adorned with numerous, GEMMY, rhombic crystals of Smithsonite. These modified rhombs have beveled edges that are highly terraced, giving the crystals a unique, textured appearance. The surfaces have a shiny, satiny luster that creates a bright appearance and give the crystals visual body. Aside from their fascinating mods and watery-green fluorescence, what is also so unusual about these Berg Aukas Smithsonites is that they are actually colorless. That characteristic is found more in Australian Smithsonites, but here, combined with the luster and modified edges, they become beautiful, pearly crystals. And when you factor in the contrast with the sparkling druzy matrix, you realize in short order that this specimen has a delightful and uncommon aesthetic that is really eye-catching. A classic from Namibia, and a fine miniature.