smithsonite

TSNB499

Specimen

Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 108 mm.
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite; 108 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Smithsonite, photographed in SWUV; 108 mm.
Exhibit 2. Smithsonite, photographed in SWUV; 108 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 3. Analytical data; smithsonite..
Exhibit 3. Analytical data; smithsonite..
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Title

smithsonite

Principal Mineral

Smithsonite

Size

Cabinet; 108mm

Collection

Geoscience Australia R28033

Provenance

Latz, C.V.

Entry Type

Specimen TSNB499

Description

A matrix of mineralised dolostone hosts a thick crust of intergrown, colourless smithsonite rhombs (to 4 mm), locally included by relict sulphide material, imparting a grey colour of varying intensity. Some of the crystals are weakly zoned. The smithsonite displays an intense pink fluorescence in short wavelength UV radiation (Exhibit 2).

The specimen is from the collection of Clement Victor Latz, which was donated to the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia) in 1976.

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 3.

Associated Minerals

(not assigned)