SYNTHETIC: Examples of this material first made it to Tucson in the late 1980s. Exciting new material (at high prices that would make you shiver) gave way to the realization that these were in fact formed in mine fires and were not natural. Later, somebody replicated the process in the lab and now synthetic zincite like this is grown for decorative use and collectibles as they are so beautiful. Nevertheless, this is a dramatic specimen of (synthetic) zincite, with sparkling, glassy and gemmy, multihued-yellow-green crystals reaching 4 cm in length. Weighs 1056 grams.