Smithsonite (2178)

specimen number:
8811760

location:
Berg Aukas, Grootfontein, Otjozondjupa, Namibia

description:

A wonderful example of a well crystallized smithsonite epimorph. This is in super condition all around. This is classic stuff for this locality, these are rarely seen available on the market today. I don't know that anybody is ever really figured out what the previous mineral was on the specimens. This specimen was on public display at the 2026 Tucson Gem and Mineral show.

The Berg Aukas Mine in northern Namibia is a historic mining locality known for lead and vanadium rich mineral deposits hosted in dolomite. Mining operations during the 20th century extracted lead ore and produced minerals such as galena along with vanadium minerals. The deposit is also famous among mineral collectors because it produced great examples of smithsonite and descloizite, among other species. Although the mine is no longer active, it remains an important locality for unusual mineral species from Namibia.

An epimorph is a mineral formation in which one mineral grows as a coating or shell over another crystal, and the original mineral later dissolves away, leaving a hollow cast of its shape. In the case of smithsonite, epimorphs commonly form over minerals such as calcite or other carbonates in the oxidized zones of zinc deposits. After the original crystal is removed, the remaining smithsonite shell preserves the external form while being hollow inside.

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