Mineral Specimens with Smithsonite

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D05-64 - Smithsonite - SOLD
Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico

small cabinet, 8.8 x 7.3 x 3.3 cm
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ex.  Evan Jones

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Smithsonite from Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico [db_pics/pics/d05-64a.jpg]

Quite simply one of the very best I have ever seen of this material, as it has intense color, good 3-dimensionality, and good overall aesthetics whereas most are flattish plates. This is from old material, perhaps 30-35 years old, and is brighter and more intense than contemporary material from teh same mine


DEN07-05 - Smithsonite (2 generations) - AUS$ 33404
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA

cabinet, 23.5 x 15.2 x 12.8 cm (11 inches across)
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ex.  William Greiger

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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/den07-05a.jpg]
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/den07-05b.jpg]
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/den07-05c.jpg]

WOW. I have simply never seen such a large Kelly Mine piece, preserved! And it is not only preserved , but its GOOD as well. The piece is complete all around, 360 degrees, and is a wonderful, classic blue color. It consists of two generations: the underlaying and more common botryoidal, rounded smithsonite; and a thin layer atop of actual CRYSTALS, rare from the locality. We call these "rice grain" smithsonites, as they are somewhat rounded, but this is what you get here, rarely, and there is more crystallized smithsonite on this specimen than I have seen on all others combined, passing through my hands over the years. This is from the personal collection of dealer WM Greiger, which was purchased recently by Pala Intl. It was likely obtained in the 1950s-1960s by him though mined probably even earlier as the richness is amazing and unlike later pockets hit here; and I regard it as a highly, HIGHLY significant US classic.


DEN11-381 - Smithsonite - AUS$ 1233
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

small cabinet, 7.3 x 6.7 x 6.1 cm
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-04.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-05.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-07.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-08.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-10.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-73mm-JB381-11.jpg]

This specimen has sparkly crystals of an unusual color of smithsonite, probably caused by minute copper content. However, where usually you would expect green color to result, the piece here is more yellow-green, with subtle gradients and zonations of color that I have not seen from Tsumeb on the same specimen very often at all. The crystals are complex, and sharp. While there is some minor damage, the piece is very 3-dimensional and overall is in good shape. From an old colleciton. Joe Budd photos


DEN11-401 - Smithsonite var. Cuprian - AUS$ 5653 SOLD
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia

small cabinet, 7.0 x 4.6 x 4.4 cm
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ex.  Harvard University

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Smithsonite var. Cuprian from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-7cm-JB401-06.jpg]
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Smithsonite var. Cuprian from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-7cm-JB401-04.jpg]
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Smithsonite var. Cuprian from Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Tsumeb-Namibia-7cm-JB401-03.jpg]

This specimen just SPARKLES with color. It features an intensely green , rolling, botryoidal growth of smithsonite over a matrix of plancheite (you can see the plancheite as the light blue at the bottom periphery). The smithsonite is then itself covered with a secondary layer of very thin, very sparkly, crystallized smithsonite that is probably not even half a millimeter tall, but adds a surface sparkle and reflectivity tha thte botryoidal smithsonite on its own, could not have. Interestingly, and a sure sign of the age of this piece, the smithsonite is also covering very rich masses of deep blue linarite tha tpoke through in a few spots where the smithsonite covering lapses. Although with slight damage at those spots, the deep blue contrast is quite pretty and I can accept the small wear in this context of a really unique and beautiful piece. Such a combination can only be from the upper oxidation levels here, prior to the 1930s in general. It is an old piece, once in the collection of the Harvard Museum. Joe Budd photos


DEN11-418 - Smithsonite - AUS$ 2570
Laurium, Attika District, Greece

large cabinet, 18.3 x 10.4 x 8.5 cm
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-27.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-28.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-30.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-32.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-33.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Laurium, Attika District, Greece [db_pics/new2011/Smithsonite-Laurium-Greece-183mm-JB418-34.jpg]

This is a very large and fine, showy specimen from the ancient mines at Laurium. I have seen other big smithsonites from here, but usually clunky and with dark and ugly matrix. This solid, heavy piece of nearly solid smithsonite is actually complete on 3 sides, made of stacked botryoidal growths like stalactites run together. It is , simply, exceptional for the locality both for quality and size. Joe Budd photos


DEN12-19 - Smithsonite - AUS$ 206
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico

thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.0 x 1.4 cm
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Smithsonite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico [db_pics/new2012/SEPT1219a.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico [db_pics/new2012/SEPT1219b.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico [db_pics/new2012/SEPT1219c.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico [db_pics/new2012/SEPT1219f.jpg]

Unusual for the crystal habit, this fine thumbnail features so-called "rice-grain" crystals of smithsonite instead of the usual botryoidal material from this locale. It is a fine, aesthetic, complete thumbnail , and well illustrates a rare habit for Kelly Mine smithsonite.


Denv07-33 - Smithsonite (2 generations) - SOLD
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA

cabinet, 12.8 x 8.9 x 5.8 cm
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv07-33a.jpg]
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv07-33b.jpg]
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv07-33c.jpg]
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Smithsonite (2 generations) from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv07-33d.jpg]

A 3-dimensional, impressive, and very large specimen with "rice-grain" smithsonite CRYSTALS (rare from the mine!), perched atop the lovely pastel blue color that made the Kelly famous when it was in its heyday, for carving rough! Horrible fate, isn't it, for such a world caslss smithsonite? But the lapidary market was easier money til recently and large specimens, particularly with thick rinds like this one has, were often destroyed. The thickness of the rind is 1/2 inch in most places.


DENV08-02 - Smithsonite with Calcite - SOLD
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA

small cabinet, 7.1 x 7.0 x 4.2 cm
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Smithsonite with Calcite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv08-02a.jpg]
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Smithsonite with Calcite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv08-02b.jpg]
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Smithsonite with Calcite from Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, USA [db_pics/pics/denv08-02c.jpg]

An unusual Kelly Mine piece in that it has an association preserved , whereas most never had associated minerals to begin with or the other minerals were dissolved off in the old days by cleaning these in acid. The calcite is so elegant and curvy, i mistook it (as did the previous owner) for selenite...but a selenite collector I sent it to did the test and showed it to be calcite. The crystals are complete and elegantly perched, on the stark blue contrast.


DENV08-44 - Cobaltian Smithsonite (stalactite) - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

small cabinet, 7.9 x 3.3 x 3.2 cm
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ex.  Dr. Gary Hansen

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Cobaltian Smithsonite (stalactite) from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/denv08-44a.jpg]
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Cobaltian Smithsonite (stalactite) from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/denv08-44b.jpg]
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Cobaltian Smithsonite (stalactite) from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/denv08-44c.jpg]
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Cobaltian Smithsonite (stalactite) from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/denv08-44d.jpg]

Wow! This is a complete, pristine, stalactite of pink smithsonite colored a rich red-pink hue by cobalt. The color is very good, as these go. The crystal size is to just about 1 cm. The overall coverage is 100% here, making for a novel specimen, a stalactite, the aspect of which is highly unusual. But it is more than just an interesting shape, as the crystals are gemmy and well colored and of a quality that demands attention anyhow. A unique piece, from the Dr. Gary Hansen collection which I purchased in 2004. Gary was a major mineral dealer in the 1960s through about 1984 and kept this in his collection for another 20 years after his retirement from mineral dealing.


FC19 - Cerussite with Smithsonite included by Hematite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

small cabinet, 6.2 x 4.6 x 2 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Cerussite with Smithsonite included by Hematite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc19a.jpg]
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Cerussite with Smithsonite included by Hematite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc19b.jpg]

A unique combination piece from a small one-time pocket, totally unique in Tsumeb mining! This specimen has GEMMY, jewel-like, V-twins of cerussite to several centimeters in size perched ON elongated scalenohedral smithsonite crystals! the smithsonites are colored red by minute inclusions of hematite. Thus, this is unique for the color contrast, the combination, and the visual juxtaposition compared to any other ceru/smith association I am aware of.


FC22 - Cobaltian Smithsonite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

thumbnail, 2.8 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Cobaltian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc22a.jpg]
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Cobaltian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc22b.jpg]

The large crysatl on this exquisite Thumbnail is 2cm tip to tip! This is an extremely elegant and fine, competition-quality piece. In person the color is , i need to say, slightly less rich than shown, more a peach than a pink hue (There is a very slight bit of matrix on the back, attached. that matrix adds reflection of some color to the photos when in person it isn't as deep a pink color but it IS as elegant and sharp as you see!). The gemminess and translucency are high, and the lustre is fantastic.


FC24 - Cuprian Smithsonite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

thumbnail, 2.4 x 2.1 x 1.3 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Cuprian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc24a.jpg]
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Cuprian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc24b.jpg]

A gorgeous, glowing specimen with sharp GEMMY, TRANSLUCENT rhombs to 8 mm. this is the rarest pocket, I would say, of green smithsonite. There are very few extant and most are, like this one, rather small. Buy for the color, not the size...and you will see that the color gives it a display value beyond the mere size.


FC27 - Smithsonite - AUS$ 976
Tsumeb, Namibia

miniature, 3 x 2.6 x 2.5 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc27a.jpg]
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Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc27b.jpg]

Rare, elongated, scalenohedral smithsonite crystals! This is a very rare crystal habit for the species, so far as i know unique to Tsumeb in crystals of such size and quality. This pristine miniature has SHARP xls to 2 cm.


FC31 - Cuprian Smithsonite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

miniature, 3.4 x 2.4 x 2.3 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Cuprian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc31a.jpg]
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Cuprian Smithsonite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc31b.jpg]

Talk about rare. I had NEVER seen a smithie from this pocket for sale. I have seen the style in a few books, only. These large, blocky, TRANSPARENT, pseudocubic crystals are 1 cm on edge! This is a unique, incredible specimen for the species. If trimmed further, it would surely be an equally incredible thumbnail, but as stands its a fine miniature.


FC5 - Cuprian Smithsonite on and with Cerussite - SOLD
Tsumeb, Namibia

small cabinet, 7.7 x 5.4 x 3.6 cm
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ex.  James and Marjorie Ferguson

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Cuprian Smithsonite on and with Cerussite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc5a.jpg]
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Cuprian Smithsonite on and with Cerussite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc5b.jpg]
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Cuprian Smithsonite on and with Cerussite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc5c.jpg]
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Cuprian Smithsonite on and with Cerussite from Tsumeb, Namibia [db_pics/pics/fc5f.jpg]

A totally unique piece like none I have ever seen before! This remarkable combo piece features cuprian smithsonite encrusting an odd extension of the adjoining reticulared cerussite, and then draping over parts of that crystal as well. Smaller reticulated, gemmy cerussites crowd in at the junction. I think this represents several stages of cerussite growth, actually, in that the smithsonite replaced one generation and habit, but NOT the other which came along in part after the smithsonite casting was done (since little retic cerus nest in the junction - see below). It may have pseudomorphed that vertical extension, as that portion seems all smithsonite and not cerussite. It is a replacement or a cast, at the very least, of that second habit of cerussite. It is extremely odd in appearance, and you just sort of hold it and say "what the heck happened here", but it is very aesthetic as well. Complete and displayable from all sides with just the tiniest of edge wear.



(click on a page number to go to that page:)

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19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36
37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46

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