Smithsonite

specimen number:
2063724

location:
Wenshan, Yunnan, China

description:
Attractive yellow massive botryoidal smithsonite. This is complete all around, there is no matrix. The specimen has been cut and polished along the lower face to show the internal banding. Very neat specimen that is in good condition with just slight damage on what I would consider the back of the piece. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

The Wenshan Autonomous Prefecture in southeastern Yunnan Province, China, is situated within a major polymetallic karst district where low-temperature hydrothermal fluid action hosted in Paleozoic carbonate rocks has created rich lead-zinc deposits. Historically exploited for industrial zinc and lead extraction, the underground mines around Wenshan became world-famous among mineral collectors during the late 1990s and early 2000s for producing exceptional secondary zinc minerals. Among these discoveries, Wenshan yellow smithsonite stands out as a secondary zinc carbonate mineral formed in the oxidized zones of primary zinc ore bodies. The vibrant, sunny yellow to lemon-sorbet hues of these specimens -- caused by trace cadmium impurities or microscopic greenockite inclusions -- contrast sharply with their lustrous, waxy, botryoidal, or bubbly habit. Frequently forming delicate crusts over matrix or associated with secondary minerals like hemimorphite, these striking yellow smithsonite crusts remain highly prized cabinet specimens in modern mineral collecting.

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