Smithsonite w/ Fluorite & Anglesite (rare combo - classic old Ireland locale)

Item Description

Juicy, translucent, lemon-yellow bubbly cadmium-rich smithsonite botryoids with satin luster surfaces line a scuptural vug in this RARE combination from this extinct small Irish zinc deposit worked in about 1862-63 (MINDAT). The botryoids rest in a RARE and hefty for the size glassy combination matrix of light purple fluorite crystals and colorless anglesite crystals. The smithsonite is a classic and desirable old-time species. Mined for the sphalerite, the smithsonite was originally left on the spoil mounds as gangue material! We almost never see these for sale today! Pieces like this were said to be collected in remining of the dumps in the 1960s and 1970s, but few are to be found today. The periphery wear has negligible impact to the high quality of this combination rarity. Valued by the former dealer at $200.