Smithsonite

Info: Good developed crystals of smithsonite are liked by the collectors. Smithsonite is found in little trigonal crystals, sometimes curved. Good developed trigonal crystals are rare. Common smithsonite is found in agregates with different shapes. It can be colourless or white, but often is found also with yellow, brown, green, blue, pink and purpule colourations. This is due to little quantity of kadmium, cobalt, manganese or copper within the mineral. Smithsonite can be translucent to transparent with glassy to pearl shine. It is relatively hard and heavy mineral.

How to recognize: Some smithsonites emit pink flourescence in UV-light. Smithsonite can be easly dissolved in concentrated hydrochloric acid.

Found: Big deposits of smithsonite were found in Germany, Austria, Greece, Nambia, Zimbabve and in Italy.