Morning Star Mine, Rush, Rush Creek District, Marion Co., Arkansas, USA

The yellow of this Smithsonite specimen is due to micro inclusions of Greenockite (Cadmium Sulfide - CdS). This is the same pigment called Cadmium Yellow used in oil paints. The stronger the lighting, the brighter the yellow becomes. When these pictures were first taken, the yellow was extreme and necessitated turning the saturation down to keep the color more true. The combination of the botryoidally habit and the bright yellow color was the basis for the name, Turkey Fat. When examined closely, this specimen has a velvet texture to it. It is in excellent condition with no appreciable damage. Collected in the 1970s.

3.6 x 2.6 x 1.5 cm

$70      Click here to order this mineral.