Smithsonite var. Cadmium-rich (New Find)

Item Description

Stunning sparkly, translucent, waxy lustre bright yellow smithsonite covers this very sculptural two generation mounded small cabinet from a recent find in China. The underlying first generation of white to gray smithsonite is dramatically vuggy, with some side faces having striking boxwork cavernous features, indicated preferential dissolution. The sawed base reveals more of the intense vugginess of this impressive small cabinet. The yellow color is thought to be due to cadmiun content, as with yellow smithsonite from Tsumeb, Italy, and Mexico. The yellow smithsonite GLOWS, when back lit. These are VERY similar to Italian smithsonites, from the 1800s, that cost an arm and a leg! And, those are super rare on the market. This RECENT find (not from 2000s finds and recently brought to market) adds a new standard and gives the rest of us a chance to acquire one in this style at a reasonable price point. This impressive and colorful piece has multiple display views.