Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Specimen Title
smithsonite
Associated Minerals
(not assigned)
Principal Mineral
Size
Cabinet; 55mm
Provenance
Gardner, A.E.
Collection
Geoscience Australia; R22266
Entry Number
Specimen; TSNB508
Description
An aggregate of bright pink, gemmy, modified rhombohedral crystals of smithsonite (to 7 mm) on a light grey matrix of mineralised dolostone. The smithsonite crystals are highly transparent, with curved, striated faces. Crystals close to the matrix contact host tiny dark grey inclusions, tentatively identified as relict sulphide (?).
The specimen is from the collection of the Reverend A.E. Gardner which was purchased by the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia) in 1974.
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). They hypothesise that the “rose-pink” colour is due to Co (751 ppm); Mn (960 ppm) is just below the threshold expected to influence colour, although in this specimen it may play a reinforcing role. Analytical data is presented in Exhibit 2.
