Object Description
To find a natural smithsonite specimen of this size and vibrant pink-lavender colour is a very rare find. Once forming part of a private UK collection, this striking specimen originates from El Refugio Mine, Sinaloa, Mexico (mine closed in 2010) and comes presented on one of our medium painted plaster bases.
Prized for its vibrant colour, smithsonite is an ore of zinc with a botryoidal structure – a term used to describe it’s clustered, grape-like formations characterised by their rounded or bulbous shape. It is named after English scientist and mineralogist, James Smithson (1786 – 1929) who published numerous scientific papers on chemistry, geology and mineralogy in the early 1800s. He was also responsible for defining calamine, which would later the renamed “smithsonite” in his honour.
Additional Dimensions
Specimen only: H10 x W14.5 x D7 cm
Comes with an exclusive custom-made medium display plinth measuring ø17 x H6.5 cm
Specimen weight: 1.27kg