Monte Cristo mine, Rush, Rush Creek District, Marion Co., Arkansas, USA

This is classic material. The Smithsonite is colored a orange color with micro inclusions of Greenockite (CdS - Cadmium Sulfide). Similar specimens have been referred to as Turkey Fat Smithsonite; however, this term should be used when the Smithsonite is bright yellow and botryoidal (which also has the same inclusion and occurs in the same mines in the Rush district). In this case, the Smithsonite is composed of very small crystals with a high luster. The layer of Smithsonite on the Dolomite is quite thin; the color seems to vary with the thickness of the Smithsonite. Technically, these can be called perimorphs, since the shape of the underlying Dolomite is retained. The white Calcite crystals provide a nice visual contrast to the Smithsonite. These Calcite crystals are well formed, sem-transparent twins. The specimen is in fairly good condition with the exception some breakage on one edge (at the top of the specimen in the first photo) and the Smithsonite chipped from the Dolomite in a couple of places.

5.2 x 3.9 x 3.8 cm

$75      Click here to order this mineral.