Smithsonite

specimen number:
2072079

location:
San Antonio Mine, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

description:
Attractive chatoyant translucent botryoidal crystallized smithsonite across the top of matrix. In good condition with very minor damage along the edges of the piece only.

The San Antonio Mine is located in the East Camp of the Santa Eulalia Mining District in Chihuahua, Mexico. Geologically, it is a massive skarn and carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) that formed when high-temperature magmatic fluids intruded into thick sequences of Cretaceous limestone. This resulted in the creation of vast chimneys and mantos rich in lead, zinc, and silver. The mine is famous for its complex oxidation zones, where primary sulfide minerals were weathered over millions of years into a diverse array of secondary oxide and carbonate minerals. While the district has been mined since the early 1700s, the San Antonio Mine specifically became a significant source for colorful secondary minerals during the late 20th century.

During the 1990s, miners at the San Antonio Mine encountered several notable pockets containing high-quality smithsonite specimens. This secondary zinc carbonate mineral occurred in a pleasing range of colors, most notably a vibrant baby-blue to blue-green, as well as soft pinks and pearly whites. The smithsonite from this era is characterized by its botryoidal (grape-like) growth habit, often possessing a silky luster and a translucent appearance. While these 1990s finds are highly regarded for their aesthetics and distinct Mexican character, they represent a specific chapter in the mine's long history of mineral production. These specimens often feature thick, undulating crusts over a dark, iron-rich gossan matrix. Although mining continues in the district, the specific pockets that produced these colorful smithsonites are now largely a matter of historical record for collectors.

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