{"title":"Smithsonite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmithsonite\u003c\/strong\u003e is a zinc carbonate (ZnCO3) belonging to the \u003cstrong\u003ecalcite group\u003c\/strong\u003e, forming a solid-solution series with iron-dominant \u003cstrong\u003esiderite\u003c\/strong\u003e and manganese-dominant \u003cstrong\u003erhodochrosite\u003c\/strong\u003e. Named in 1832 after chemist James Smithson, it typically forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of zinc-sulfide deposits, growing alongside \u003cstrong\u003ehemimorphite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ewillemite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ehydrozincite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ecerussite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003emalachite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eazurite\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eaurichalcite\u003c\/strong\u003e. Rather than sharp crystals, smithsonite is prized above all for its botryoidal, grape-like crusts and a signature silky-to-pearly luster often compared to melted wax; well-formed rhombohedral or scalenohedral crystals are genuinely rare, making crystallized pieces especially collectible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eColor is what drives demand: trace copper produces the coveted apple-green to electric-blue tones, cobalt gives pink to lavender-purple hues, cadmium yields yellow, and iron brings brown to reddish shades — the same species can range from colorless to nearly black. The undisputed type reference for the species is the \u003cstrong\u003eKelly Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in Magdalena, Socorro County, New Mexico, source of the finest blue and blue-green botryoidal crusts ever found, alongside the equally classic \u003cstrong\u003eBroken Hill Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e (Kabwe) in Zambia and the Australian \u003cstrong\u003eBroken Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e in New South Wales. The absolute pinnacle of the species, however, comes from \u003cstrong\u003eTsumeb\u003c\/strong\u003e in Namibia, where smithsonite was historically the second most abundant secondary mineral after cerussite and occurred through all three oxidation zones — producing the famous \"Blue Pocket\" find and rare cobaltoan pink rhombohedra with scalenohedral crystals reaching several centimeters, considered the finest in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther important localities enrich the species' collector appeal: the vivid pink, blue and lavender botryoidal material from the \u003cstrong\u003eRefugio Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in Choix, Sinaloa, and deep pink rhombs from the \u003cstrong\u003eSan Antonio Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e, Santa Eulalia district, Chihuahua, Mexico; the historic \u003cstrong\u003eFranklin-Sterling Hill\u003c\/strong\u003e district in New Jersey; bright yellow \"turkey fat ore\" from Rush Creek, Arkansas; blue-green crusts from \u003cstrong\u003eLavrion\u003c\/strong\u003e, Greece; and Sardinian material from the \u003cstrong\u003eMonteponi\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eMassua\u003c\/strong\u003e mines near Iglesias, Italy. With a Mohs hardness of 4-4.5 and specific gravity near 4.4, smithsonite is often confused with hemimorphite, but its plastic-like fracture and waxy sheen set it apart. Its rich palette, classic botryoidal habit, and storied localities make it a cornerstone species for secondary zinc-mineral collections and cabinet specimens alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"yellow-cadmian-smithsonite-masua-mine-sardinia","title":"SMITHSONITE – Rare Yellow Cadmian Specimen, Masua Mine, Sardinia, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking and genuinely rare specimen of yellow Smithsonite from the legendary Masua Mine in Sardinia, one of the most celebrated localities in the world for this vivid cadmium-bearing variety. The piece displays an even, warm yellow tone across a compact, well-formed mass, allowing the botryoidal texture and color zoning typical of this classic Sardinian material to be fully appreciated. Since the Masua Mine has been closed for decades and no new material has been extracted since, specimens of this quality are becoming increasingly difficult to find on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 134 x 58 x 11 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 230 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Masua Mine, Masua, Iglesias, South Sardinia Province, Sardinia, Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45457160175725,"sku":null,"price":239.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260418191649.jpg?v=1784035122"},{"product_id":"smithsonite-crested-crystal-growth-sardinia-italy","title":"SMITHSONITE – Crested Crystal Growth, San Giovanni Mine, Sardinia, Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis smithsonite specimen displays an unusual crest-like growth, formed by several pointed crystals aligned along a jagged ridge, with surfaces ranging from smooth, translucent faces to rougher, drusy patches in warm beige and hazelnut tones. It comes from the historic, now permanently closed San Giovanni Mine near Iglesias, a locality considered genuinely rare on today's mineral market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 137 x 94 x 88 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 655 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e San Giovanni Mine, Bindua, Iglesias, Sardinia, Italy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45735748173933,"sku":null,"price":349.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260809182856.jpg?v=1788051861"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/smithsonite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}