Smithsonite (classic material)

Item Description

Smithsonite is a notably popular zinc carbonate species, found in hundreds of world localities in a wide variety of styles/habits and colors. With that said, some of the most admired, sought after and valuable examples are top pieces from the Kelly Mine in New Mexico. When somebody mentions blue Smithsonite, most collectors immediately think of this famous locality. For some people, the Kelly Mine is the most well-known mine in the entire state, and produced some of the most outstanding specimens of the species extant. This piece features lustrous/vitreous, beautiful light blue color radiating aggregates of Smithsonite, with individual "balls" measuring up to 1.6 cm across, sitting on matrix. There are some contacted areas where the Smithsonite was pushed into a narrow part of the vug, and was contacted after it was removed from the pocket wall, but there are still undamaged "balls" that can be seen. With backlighting, you can see the Smithsonites are gemmy, and they glow with an almost ethereal appearance internally. A fine quality displays specimen of this old classic material from what is certainly one of the top 50 localities in the history of US minerals.