Smithsonite (1205)

specimen number:
8811727

location:
Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto, Namibia

description:
Very impressive large colorless translucent rhombohedral crystals of smithsonite measuring to 2.7 cm in size on matrix. This is in great condition. The specimen comes with several previous labels, including one that notes that the piece at one time was part of the collection of Mitchell Gunnell. The specimen was also on display at the 2026 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.

Mitchell Gunnell was an American mineral dealer and collector active during the mid 20th century who handled and distributed mineral specimens from a variety of United States localities.

The Tsumeb Mine in northern Namibia was one of the worlds most famous polymetallic mines, known for producing copper, lead, and zinc from a large pipe like orebody hosted in dolomite. Mining began in the late 19th century and expanded through the 20th century with extensive underground workings and a major smelter that supported the local economy. The deposit became internationally renowned for its extraordinary mineral diversity, with hundreds of mineral species identified from the mine. Although primary mining ended in the 1990s, Tsumeb remains one of the most celebrated mineral localities in the world for both scientific study and mineral collecting.

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