Smithsonite

Choix  has been producing a wonderful array of colorful botryoidal smithsonites since Spanish colonial times, but they were mostly ignored until the 1970-2000s when specimens were brought to market. They are typically botryoidal with a chatoyant, bright luster. This piece was purchased by Marty Zinn in 2014 and we purchased it from him. The central pink coloration gives way to lavender which overcoated as the specimen formed. Quite beautiful.

Locality: El Refugio Mine, Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico

Composition: lead carbonate