Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Smithsonite |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | ZnCO3 |
| Mohs hardness | 4–4.5 |
| Crystal system | Trigonal |
| Locality | Laurion, Attica, Greece |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
A matrix specimen from the famous Laurion (Lavrion) mining district of Attica, Greece, labeled as smithsonite with calcite. The face is covered in pale blue-green botryoidal crusts and small white calcite growths, with darker green copper-mineral accents in a few pockets; the back shows brown limonitic gossan dusted with green.
Laurion’s silver-lead mines were worked by the ancient Athenians more than 2,500 years ago, and the ancient slags and oxidized ore zones there have produced hundreds of secondary mineral species — making it one of the most celebrated classic localities in mineralogy.
Collector label reads: “Smithsonite / chonl calcite,” Laurion, Greece (original locality crossed out and corrected by hand). Lot #75.
Care
Smithsonite and calcite are soft (Mohs ~3–4.5) and acid-sensitive; dust gently and keep dry.
Smithsonite: the science
- It is named after James Smithson, whose bequest founded the Smithsonian Institution.
- Laurion (Lavrion) in Greece was mined in antiquity for silver that funded the Athenian navy; today its old slags and mines are famous for rare minerals.
- Smithsonite is heavy for a carbonate, with a specific gravity over 4, because of its zinc content.
Go deeper
Want the full story on smithsonite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is smithsonite?
Smithsonite is zinc carbonate. It forms in the weathered zones of zinc ore deposits and often grows as pearly, botryoidal crusts.
Where was it found?
This piece comes from Laurion, Attica, Greece. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 4–4.5 on the Mohs scale. Mohs 4–4.5. Avoid acids and harsh cleaners, dust gently, and wash your hands after handling ore minerals.
Is this the exact piece I will receive?
Yes. This listing was photographed individually, and you receive the exact piece shown in the photos.
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