Smithsonite

specimen number:
2063665

location:
Refugio Mine, Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico

description:
Classic Mexican specimen with attractive pinkish purple botryoidal semi lustrous slightly translucent crystallized smithsonite completely covering the top of matrix. In very good condition all around. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

The Refugio Mine in the mountainous municipality of Choix within Sinaloa, Mexico, is situated within a rugged and heavily weathered metallogenic region characterized by complex polymetallic ore systems. While many regional workings focus primarily on silver, gold, and base metals, this specific locality gained renown among mineral collectors for a vertically restricted oxidized zone that produced exceptional zinc-bearing carbonate specimens. Historic small-scale mining operations and localized prospecting opened up cavities containing highly prized botryoidal and crystalline coatings, celebrated for vibrant pastel shades of pink, lavender, and deep blue, as well as distinct fluorescent properties under ultraviolet light. Because the productive pocket was extremely limited in geographic extent and largely worked out, fine mineral specimens from this Mexican mine remain scarce and highly sought after by systematic collectors.

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