Smithsonite (rare locality) ex Gary Weaver Coll

Item Description

An extremely large, dramatic plate showing 3-dimensional botryoidal (rounded) growth of smithsonite, with multiple layers and generations of growth making an unusual palette. An incredibly sparkly iridescent layer sits atop older banded gray and white layers of smithsonite. In person, this is extremely large and dramatic! Even the edges are good, due to the fascinating banding and growth patterns. It is a showpiece from this little-known, but very fine, Mexican smithsonite locality (when these do turn up, they are often mislabeled as Choix, Sinaloa - those Choix smithsonites are sold at a higher price due to the premium attached to that more productive locale). However, this is a much more rare locality that produced far fewer specimens than Choix, and it has a fascinating shape and texture. Ex Gary Weaver collection, long specializing in Mexico minerals. We thought this was so unusual, we had to go to the experts to confirm the locality as we had never seen one of this size and quality before, for the locale (in this style) (thanks to Dr. Peter Megaw for confirming the location). Joe Budd photos. Oh - This is rather large - 1710 grams or 3.8 pounds!