smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite)

TSNB742
Specimen
Klein, W.
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite); 66 mm.
Exhibit 1. Smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite); 66 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite); 66 mm.
Exhibit 2. Smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite); 66 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 3. 55 mm field of view.
Exhibit 3. 55 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 4. 25 mm field of view.
Exhibit 4. 25 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Thumbnail by 1Thumbnail by 2Thumbnail by 3Thumbnail by 4

Specimen Title

smithsonite after cerussite (w. malachite and conichalcite-duftite)

Associated Minerals

azurite (?); conichalcite-duftite (?); malachite; rosasite (?)

Principal Mineral

Smithsonite

Precursor Mineral

Cerussite

Size

Cabinet; 66mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone; 5 Level

Provenance

Klein, W.

Collection

MGMH; 111652

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB742

Description

Encrustation pseudomorphs of pearly-white smithsonite (EDS verified) after blocky and blade-shaped crystals (to 25 mm) of cerussite (exhibits 2 – 4). Associated minerals are malachite, with some alteration to bluish-green rosasite (EDS verified) and apple-green conichalcite-duftite (?).


Visually, the smithsonite in this specimen resembles otavite. However, EDS analysis confirms that it is a Cd-bearing smithsonite containing approximately 3 mol % cadmium.


EDS analyses by Frank Keutsch (Harvard University, 2025).


The specimen was number 204 in the collection of Wilhelm Klein, production manager at Tsumeb between 1916 and 1939. His catalogue attributes the specimen to 5 Level in the first oxidation zone.