Smithsonite (classic material) (ex Bob Reynolds Collection)

Item Description

When it comes to Smithsonite, there are hundreds of localities around the world where the species is found, but very few compare to the quality and color of the world-famous specimens from the historic Kelly Mine in central New Mexico. This piece is a fine representation of this wonderful material as the display side is covered with excellent, soft blue colored, spherical groups of a vitreous luster sitting on oxidized matrix. Some of the Smithsonites have a secondary overgrowth, creating a bit of texture on the surface of the "balls". The Smithsonites are slightly gemmy / translucent when backlit, and they honestly look better in person than the photos / video might indicate. No major damage that I can find, except for the peripheral edges where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. A really great quality specimen of this now rather hard to find material. Priced in the inventory at $1,200. From the collection of Robert (Bob) Reynolds who passed in August of 2020. Bob was a well-known fossil and mineral expert and former Curator of Earth Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. The rare phyllomanganate-chromate species Reynoldsite was named in his honor in 2011.