Smithsonite

specimen number:
1052200

location:
Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

description:
An exceptional Broken Hill specimen featuring richly crystallized groupings of colorless to slightly gray, chatoyant, translucent smithsonite to 0.5 cm in size, elegantly perched upon a stalactitic coronadite matrix. The crystals display a silky internal glow and refined luster, creating a striking visual contrast against the dark, sculptural manganese rich base. Preserved in great condition, the piece is accompanied by an antique label, as shown at the end of the video, dating it to the very early 20th century, adding important historical provenance. Broken Hill, discovered in 1883, rapidly became one of the world's great silver lead zinc mining centers and is renowned for producing an extraordinary suite of secondary minerals, including fine smithsonite specimens prized by collectors for over a century. This example beautifully reflects the locality's legacy, combining aesthetic elegance, classic mineralogy, and early collecting history in one distinguished piece.

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