Description
Smithsonite: The Colorful Zinc Carbonate Mineral
Smithsonite is a secondary mineral, typically forming through the weathering and oxidation of zinc-rich ore deposits, and is a primary ore of zinc. Chemically, it is zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃). While it can form in earthy, botryoidal (grape-like) masses, its most prized specimens are the stunning, brightly colored crystals that range from sky-blue and sea-green to vibrant purple, pink, and yellow. These captivating colors are often due to impurities like copper, cadmium, or cobalt. Smithsonite is known for its high luster and a beautiful vitreous to pearly sheen. It was named in 1832 in honor of James Smithson, the English chemist and mineralogist whose bequest founded the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Due to its relative softness, smithsonite is primarily valued by collectors and lapidaries for its exceptional beauty rather than as a ma
instream gemstone.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.