Smithsonite (classic old Ireland locale)

Item Description

Vugs on both ends of this hefty solid layered smithsonite small cabinet host juicy, translucent, lemon-yellow bubbly cadmium-rich smithsonite botryoids with satin lustre surfaces. Massive white smithsonite and smaller vugs are noted in the body of the piece. This extinct small Irish zinc deposit was worked in about 1862-63 (MINDAT). The smithsonite is a classic and desirable old-time species. Mined for the sphalerite, the smithsonite was originally left on the spoil mounds as gangue material! We almost never see these for sale today! Pieces like this were said to be collected in remining of the dumps in the 1960s and 1970s, but few are to be found today. The periphery wear has negligible impact to the high quality of this rarity. Valued by the former dealer at $800 for richness, color and size.