Smithsonite
| Smithsonite | ||
|---|---|---|
Specific gravity 4.4–4.5 | | |
| Optical properties | Uniaxial (−) | |
| Refractive index | nω = 1.842 – 1.850 nε = 1.619 – 1.623 | |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.223 – 0.227 | |
| Ultraviolet fluorescence | May fluoresce pale green or pale blue under UV | |
| References | [2][3][4] | |
Smithsonite, also known as zinc spar, is the mineral form of
Smithsonite is a variably colored
specific gravity
of 4.4 to 4.5.
Smithsonite occurs as a secondary mineral in the
oxidation zone of zinc-bearing ore deposits. It sometimes occurs as replacement bodies in carbonate rocks and as such may constitute zinc ore. It commonly occurs in association with hemimorphite, willemite, hydrozincite, cerussite, malachite, azurite, aurichalcite and anglesite. It forms two limited solid solution series, with substitution of manganese leading to rhodochrosite, and with iron, leading to siderite.[4] A variety rich in cadmium, which gives it a bright yellow color, is sometimes called turkey fat ore.[2]
Gallery
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Crystals of smithsonite: Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mun. de Mapimi, Durango, Mexico -
Crystals of pink cobaltoan smithsonite on matrix -
Apple-green cuprian smithsonite crystals. A second generation ofdrusysmithsonite was deposited in the crevasses between the larger growth. -
Crystals of slightly pink cobaltoan smithsonite, Tsumeb, 6.8 × 4.6 × 3.7 cm -
Blue smithsonite from the Kelly Mine in New Mexico
See also
References
- S2CID 235729616.
- ^ a b Smithsonite: Smithsonite mineral information and data from Mindat
- ^ a b Smithsonite mineral data from Webmineral
- ^ a b Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Smithsonite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Smithsonite at the National Museum of Natural History". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
Bibliography
- Tom Hughes, Suzanne Liebetrau, and Gloria Staebler, eds. (2010). Smithsonite: Think Zinc! Denver, CO: Lithographie ISBN 978-0-9790998-6-1.
- Ewing, Heather (2007). The Lost World of James Smithson: Science, Revolution, and the Birth of the Smithsonian. London and New York: Bloomsbury ISBN 978-1-59691-029-4
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Smithsonite.
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