Smithsonite (classic material) (ex Gortatowski 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 quality representation of this wonderful material as the display side is covered with excellent, soft blue colored, semi-spherical groups of a very high vitreous luster measuring up to 5 mm across sitting on oxidized matrix. Some of the Smithsonite show a bit of the "rice grain" habit for which this locality is known. The Smithsonites are slightly gemmy / translucent when backlit, and they honestly look better in person than the photos / video might indicate. No 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. The piece comes with a label stating it was part of the collection of Dr. Melvin J. Gortatowski, along with a few additional labels with no attribution. Priced in the inventory at $1,450.