Smithsonite after Gypsum (2248)

specimen number:
8811748

location:
Lavrion, Attica, Greece

description:
Very unusual prismatic crystal of what was once gypsum now replaced by crystallized smithsonite. In super condition. At one time this specimen was part of the collection of Bill and Carole Smith and comes with their data card. The piece was also part of the collection of Dawn and Jim Minette. Unusual and very choice for this famous locality.

Mining in Lavrion, Greece is one of the oldest mining traditions in Europe and dates back to ancient Greek times. Silver rich lead ores were mined from deposits in carbonate rocks and the silver helped support the economy of ancient Athens. Mining continued intermittently through later centuries and expanded again during the 19th century with modern mining methods.

A cast forms when a mineral fills a cavity left after another mineral has dissolved away, preserving the external shape of the original crystal. In the case of smithsonite after gypsum, gypsum crystals formed first and later dissolved when groundwater circulated through the deposit. Zinc rich solutions then deposited smithsonite in the empty space left by the gypsum. The resulting specimen keeps the crystal shape of gypsum even though it is now composed of smithsonite.

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