Smithsonite - rare Irish locale

Item Description

Cadmium-rich Smithsonite is a classic and desirable old-time species from the Sheshodonnell East Mine, a small, extinct Irish zinc deposit worked during Victorian times. Specifically, Sheshodonnell East was mined in about 1862-63 for Sphalerite (MINDAT), with the Smithsonite discarded at the time. Yellow, translucent botryoids to 7 mm richly cover much of this small cabinet piece, and the tiny, rice-grain Smithsonites are particularly vibrant. The dumps have been re-worked by collectors, but few are found today. This is known as one of the best Smithsonite localities in the UK. Two interesting side notes: the original and exposed Sphalerite vein has been completely altered to green, yellow, grey and white botryoidal Smithsonite, and the locality is situated in the midst of one of Europe's best examples of limestone karst topography. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection. Tim specialized in trading, collecting, and buying Scottish minerals and travelled there himself for acquisition.