Smithsonite var. Cadmium rich (New Find)

Wei Nan, Yunnan Province, China
Small Cabinet, 9.4 x 4.5 x 3.7 cm
Start Time: 04/30/2017 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 05/04/2017 6:30:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

The sculptural elongated narrow knob is totally covered with variable light lemon-yellow, translucent, bubbly smithsonite botryoids with waxy luster from the recent Chinese finds. The banded smithsonite covers the granular mixed quartz and sulfide core. The yellow color is thought to be due to cadmiun content, as with yellow smithsonite from Tsumeb, Italy, and Mexico. The yellow smithsonite GLOWS, when back lit. A very fine example, that is in great shape, with only a modest bit of scuffing along the top and out-of-sight basal periphery wear on the back side. These are VERY similar to Italian smithsonites, from the 1800s, that cost an arm and a leg! And, those are super rare on the market. This new find really sets a new standard and gives the rest of us a chance to acquire one in this style at a reasonable price point.

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