The best examples of this colored version of the stone come from the Tsumeb mine in Northern Namibia, and the Kabwe mine in central Zambia. Cadmium gives smithsonite a yellow color, and this form of the stone is known as cadmium smithsonite. In the best-known mix, copper makes the smithsonite stone appear green or blue. The most sought after color of smithsonite is purple to lavender. Design Your Own Family Keepsake Combine Citrine with any gemstone to create your own unique family keepsake with the birthstones of your loved ones, or your favorite combination of colors.
Select a gold color:. Colorless smithsonite is found in Namibia, Zambia. Blue green smithsonite is found in the United States, Spain and Greece. Yellow varieties of the stone are also found in the United States as well as in Sardinia.
There are many beliefs as to the emotional attributes of smithsonite. Such beliefs are actually specific to each color of smithsonite. Blue shades of the stone are said to help open one up to repressed emotions, in order to clear and heal these painful feelings of grief, rage, anger, resentment, sadness, sorrow, and heartache.
These blue stones supposedly have the power to heal the fear of ones own emotions, and refill the aura with peace, healing, and security. Pink colored stones aid in trusting others and ourselves. These stones are known to open one up in order to let others in, let down walls that block ones growth and joy, and open the heart. They can help one to learn to love and give to others, releasing resentment and blame, and helping to forgive others and oneself. Overall, smithsonite is a stone that prepares us for new tasks and encourages us to make changes.
Specific Gravity. Vitreous , greasy , pearly , dull. Uneven , splintery. Conchoidal in individual crystals. Other ID Marks. Complex Tests. Effervesce s in hydrochloric acid. In Group. Carbonates ; Calcite Group. Striking Features. High hardness for a carbonate and interesting crystal habits.
As a secondary mineral formed from the alteration of primary zinc minerals in the oxidation zone. Rock Type. Popularity Prevalence Demand Calamine was the original name of the mineral Hemimorphite , and described this zinc ore in globular and botryoidal forms.
The mineral Smithsonite , which closely resembles Hemimorphite and is also a zinc ore, was also called Calamine by the miners and early collectors. Today use of this term has been discouraged because of its confusion of mineral species. Bonamite - Blue or green globular Smithsonite with a pearly luster. Cadmium Smithsonite - Yellow or yellow-green Smithsonite colored by cadmium impurities. Copper Smithsonite - Blue to green Smithsonite colored by copper impurities. Dry Bone Ore - Describes the massive , porous , and dull variety of Smithsonite , which often assumes a honeycomb shape.
Turkey Fat Ore - Describes globular , botryoidal , and stalactitic forms of yellow Smithsonite. Smithsonite is an ore of zinc.
It is sometimes polished and used as an ornamental stone, which is known as Bonamite in the gem trade. It is a minor gemstone.
Large Smithsonite crusts are found in a number of areas on the island of Sardinia, Italy, particularly at the Massua and Monteponi Mines, in Iglesias. Blue-green botryoidal masses and crusts are common at the mines at Lavrion, Greece.
Originally, the name calamine was used only in reference to the mineral hemimorphite. However, later, in , renowned British chemist and mineralogist, James Smithson was the first to describe calamine as two distinct minerals - a zinc carbonate and a zinc silicate; and in , Francois Sulpice Beudant named the zinc carbonate "smithsonite", in honor of James Smithson. The zinc silicate is considered to be the rarer of the two and was named hemimorphite. Smithsonite is identified as a zinc carbonate and distinguished from closely related hemimorphite through its composition and crystal form.
Smithsonite forms in the trigonal crystal system while hemimorphite, the zinc silicate, forms with orthorhombic crystals.
Smithsonite has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale and a higher density than that of hemimorphite. Smithsonite is actually denser than most gemstones. In fact, its density is higher than both sapphire and ruby. Smithsonite can be easily mistaken for chrysoprase , but smithsonite is much softer and typically lighter in color.
Smithsonite typically forms as a secondary mineral in zinc-bearing ore deposits. It is sometimes found in other types of carbonate rock and is also occasionally known to pseudomorph into other minerals. Smithsonite is usually found in globular or botryoidal grape-like aggregate form, rather than in pure crystals.
Smithsonite is typically found in varying shades of light-blue to blue, light-green to green, and is often mixed with green and blue turquoise hues. Color variations are widespread owing to varying amounts of zinc and other trace impurities. Green and blue smithsonite is colored by copper, while cobalt is known to result in pink and purple.
Yellow is caused by cadmium and iron is responsible for brown to reddish colors. Smithsonite is typically translucent to opaque, with translucent materials being the most desirable. When polished, smithsonite's luster is vitreous, but in aggregate form, its luster is pearly and it is often banded.
Smithsonite is typically cut en cabochon to enhance its soft color and maximize its desirable luster. It is not often cut for jewelry owing to its softness and rarity. The most common shapes are those that tend to preserve the most rough crystal weight, such as oval and cushion shapes. However, other fancier shapes can be found, including marquise or pear shapes.
Calibrated sizes and round stones are quite rare. Smithsonite is not typically treated or enhanced in any way. However, some botryoidal aggregates may be surface-oiled to enhance luster. Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details of gemology-related terms. Smithsonite is closely related to hemimorphite, and for many years, they were both known as 'calamine'.
Gem-quality blue to green smithsonite with a pearly luster is sometimes referred to as 'bonamite' in the trade. Other popular names used by gem and mineral collectors include the following:. Dry bone ore - a porous smithsonite often found in a honeycomb shape. Turkey fat ore - a botryoidal form of yellow smithsonite. Cadmium smithsonite - a yellow to green smithsonite, colored by cadmium. Copper smithsonite - a blue to green smithsonite, colored by traces of copper. Smithsonite is also commonly associated with various other gemstone minerals such as malachite and azurite.
Smithsonite may also pseudomorph into other minerals such as calcite or fluorite. Smithsonite is an excellent stone used for the relief of tension and stress; both physical and emotional. For those at their breaking point, or on the verge of a mental breakdown, smithsonite's gentle presence can help by acting as a stone of tranquility. It is believed to impart harmony around those who wear it. For many, smithsonite is a stone which brings out their 'inner-child' and it is often used to encourage feelings of joy and compassion.
It is associated with the zodiacal signs of Pisces and Virgo, and is the planetary stone for Neptune. It is a stone associated with the element of water and is often used for the cycle of rebirth. Many even believe that smithsonite can treat problems of infertility. Since smithsonite is one the rarer and lesser-known gems, it is primarily a collector's stone and not often used for jewelry designs.
It is also rather soft and fragile for most types of jewelry, although it does have roughly the same hardness as opal or turquoise, both of which are often used for jewelry. If wearing smithsonite, be sure to set stones into very well-protected mountings. Its use should be limited to jewelry that is less prone to wear and tear, such as earrings, pendants, pins or brooches.
Smithsonite cabochons could be worn in rings, but these should be reserved for occasional wear. Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight.
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