Smithsonite (cobalt-bearing)

Item Description

The world famous Tsumeb Mine produced a wide variety of Smithsonite specimens, with various chromophores that created dazzling colors ranging from green to yellow to orange to pink with plenty of others in between. Some of the most classic and desirable examples are the cobalt-bearing Smithsonite specimens, and this piece is a nice example of said material. This piece features several sharp, translucent, pleasing pink color rhombic crystals of cobalt-bearing Smithsonite with vitreous luster, sitting on contrasting dark grey Galena matrix. Good quality and very eye-catching, with very little damage. The largest rhomb measures up to 2.1 cm across. As you all know, Tsumeb minerals are not only highly sought after, but their value seems to increase daily on the market. Valued at $1,800. From the collection of legendary Colorado miner, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but mined all over Colorado and was most famously the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".