smithsonite

TSNB496

Specimen

Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 45 mm.
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 45 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; smithsonite.
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; smithsonite.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Thumbnail by 1Thumbnail by 2

Title

smithsonite

Principal Mineral

Smithsonite

Size

Miniature; 45mm

Collection

Southwood, M. MS2013.154

Provenance

Bruce, I.

Entry Type

Specimen TSNB496

A cluster of well-formed, modified and composite rhombohedral smithsonite crystals (to 27 mm). The crystals are colourless-white and partly transparent. A little carbonate matrix is attached.

Purchased from Ian Bruce in 2013 but neither its earlier provenance nor its location in the mine are recorded.

The specimen has been analysed by EMPA-WDS and LA-ICP-MS as part of a study of the causes of colour in smithsonite (Weall 2023; Southwood et al. 2025) who hypothesised that likely chromophore elements are present in insufficient quantity, either individually or in combination, to colour the mineral. Analytical data is presented in Exhibit 2.

(not assigned)