- SM20-199
- Smithsonite var. Cuprian
- Lavrion Mining District, Lavreotiki, Attica, Greece
- Small Cabinet, 8.5 x 5.2 x 2.4 cm
- $5,000.00 Payment Plan Available
Very unique and alluring Smithsonite piece from the mines at Lavrion, Greece. The Smithsonite shows a gradational color change from a translucent milky white with a just a hint of blue-green at the bottom to a luminous kelly blue-green at the top and has subtle, radial divergent texture that is more pronounced on one side compared to the other. It also shows a conspicuous and pleasing satin sheen on both sides and the top. There is a touch of gossanous material at the base which was the point of attachment for this splendid Lavrion Smithsonite. This is a bizarre specimen, and unlike others we have seen. The color is thought to be due to trace amounts of copper, perhaps in interaction with REE elements at a miniscule percentage, as with blue adamite from this mine. Mineral Collection Professionals (MCP) label - that is the laboratory of Federico Pezzotta, who analyzed it (to be sure it is smithsonite even though it looks like aragonite at first), and cleaned it. It came from an old European collection. From what I have seen, this is unique.