Smithsonite

About Smithsonite

Named after James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian Institution. It occurs in beautiful botyroidal (grape-like) forms with silky luster. The blue-green variety from New Mexico is the most prized. Pink Mexican material is also valued. It is too soft for most jewelry but prized by collectors. It is a zinc carbonate mineral. It was historically an important zinc ore. It has a distinctive bubbly surface texture. It is found in oxidized zinc deposits worldwide. Fine cabochons display chatoyancy.