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

TSNB743
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
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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; TSNB743

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 (Frank Keutsch, Harvard University 2025), confirms that it is a Cd-bearing smithsonite containing approximately 3 mol % cadmium.


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.