Smithsonite (ZnCO₃) is a secondary zinc carbonate that forms in the oxidized cap of zinc-lead deposits. It is famous for botryoidal, grape-like crystal habits in saturated colors — apple green, sky blue, lavender pink, and lemon yellow.
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Smithsonite (ZnCO₃) is a secondary zinc carbonate that forms in the oxidized cap of zinc-lead deposits. It is famous for botryoidal, grape-like crystal habits in saturated colors — apple green, sky blue, lavender pink, and lemon yellow. Yunnan and Guangxi host significant Chinese deposits.
Always test on an inconspicuous edge first. Save the test for unimportant specimens — better to use a streak plate or knowledge of locality + paragenesis.
Cite this entry
APA
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. (2026). Smithsonite. My Mineral Box. Retrieved May 23, 2026, from https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/smithsonite/
MLA
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Smithsonite." My Mineral Box, 2026, https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/smithsonite/. Accessed May 23, 2026.
Chicago
MyMineralBox Editorial Team. "Smithsonite." My Mineral Box. Last modified May 4, 2026. https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/smithsonite/.
BibTeX
@misc{mmb_smithsonite,
author = {{MyMineralBox Editorial Team}},
title = {{Smithsonite}},
year = {2026},
publisher = {My Mineral Box},
url = {https://mymineralbox.com/mineral-encyclopedia/minerals/smithsonite/},
urldate = {2026-05-23}
}
Identification & care
Crystals commonly develop as rhombohedral; botryoidal (grape-like); stalactitic; massive; rarely sharp crystals. Its color range is broad, including blue, green, pink, yellow, orange, white, gray, and lavender. The luster is vitreous, pearly, the streak is white, and specimens range from transparent to translucent. The cleavage is perfect rhombohedral {1011}. The fracture is uneven to conchoidal, which aids identification.
Collector context
How it forms
Smithsonite forms in secondary mineral in oxidized zones of zinc ore deposits. It is commonly found in association with sphalerite, galena, calcite, malachite, azurite, hemimorphite.
Classic Chinese localities
Documented Chinese occurrences are recorded at Dabaoshan Mine, among others.
Why collectors care
Smithsonite is a frequently-sought species in serious collections because its habit is recognizable, its color often strong, and its best examples unmistakable even at a distance. Chinese material has driven much of the recent visual shift in the species — sharper crystals, deeper colors, cleaner matrix.
What affects value
Value in Smithsonite is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) size relative to the species norm; (3) crystal form and termination sharpness; (4) color saturation and zoning; (5) transparency and internal clarity; (6) matrix quality and aesthetic balance; (7) condition (absence of damage, chips, or repair). Cleaning quality and verified locality documentation act as multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Smithsonite has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.
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