Smithsonite

TSNB498
Specimen
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 96 mm.
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 96 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; smithsonite.
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; smithsonite.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Smithsonite

Principal Mineral

Smithsonite

Size

Cabinet; 96mm

Location in the Mine

Undetermined

Collection

Carr, P.; PFC2019.056

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB498

Associated Minerals

(not assigned)

Description

A shard of partly oxidised sulphide, grey black in colour, encrusted on both sides with intergrown crystals of colourless smithsonite (to 4 mm), pseudo-dodecahedral in habit, with curvilinear faces.

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.