Smithsonite (cadmium-bearing)

Item Description

These lovely yellow Smithsonite specimens appeared on the market a few years ago, but I found out that they were actually mined circa 2002-2003 and were held back for many years. The eye-catching color is created from cadmium content. Typically most of the yellow Smithsonites in nature have some kind of cadmium inclusions, most notably the old classic yellow Smithsonites from the Masua Mine in Italy that were mined many decades ago. The Chinese specimens with their excellent color, flowing botryoidal forms and the fine luster puts them among the best of their kind ever found. This piece is a features a layer of botryoidal Smithsonite with a velvety / vitreous luster and a consistent medium yellow color sitting on matrix. This material was limited on the market when it was first discovered, but now it's incredibly hard to get your hands on good pieces. No major damage, but the piece has been sawn on the bottom. Very attractive and now sought after since nothing has been found in many years.