Smithsonite var. Cobaltian (Ex. Tom Hall Coll.)

Item Description

This specimen is part of the 2021 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 23, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.

This large and very sparkly intense pink cobaltian Smithsonite is from Tsumeb, widely considered the greatest of all mines. The pink color is beautifully enhanced by the vitreous to pearly luster and fine gemminess, to the point where the crystals virtually glow. This is a luxurious quality rarely seen in the material, with all these attributes together. The matrix is liberally covered by hundreds upon hundreds of Smithsonite crystals, each of which has the classic, 'curved-rhomb' habit that is so distinctive for the locality. Despite the quantity and 3-dimensionality here, there is almost no damage and the piece is nearly pristine 360 degrees. Quite aesthetic, this is highly representative of the style but unusually high quality for what came out of Tsumeb in the mid-20th century. The previous owner (Tom Hall) purchased from famous Tsumeb dealers Rick Smith and Charlie Key in 1969 directly, and it has since been in the Tom Hall Collection 1969-2017 when the collection was sold to Rob Lavinsky. For what it is, this is stunning - much prettier than most. Arkenstone donation to the Symposium Auction. Valued $4000-5000