Smithsonite

specimen number:
2063312

location:
Jackson Tunnel, Cookes Peak, Luna Co., New Mexico, USA

description:
Interesting locality example for the species with yellowish rounded crystal groupings of chatoyant smithsonite to 0.4 cm in size throughout this matrix. In good condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark. His label notes that this was collected by Arizona dealer collector Dick Jones.

The Jackson Tunnel, also known in local mining lore as Kieft Cave, is located in the historic Cookes Peak Mining District of Luna County, New Mexico. Geologically, the deposit sits within Paleozoic limestone host rocks that were altered by tertiary granitic intrusions and faulting, creating hydrothermal fracture systems rich in metallic ores and fluorspar. Driven during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century mining boom that targeted silver, lead, and zinc, the tunnel later became famous among field collectors for its secondary mineral deposits, particularly colorful veinlets and crystals of fluorite, calcite, and various lead and zinc oxidation minerals.

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