smithsonite
smithsonite from Magdalena in New Mexico
smithsonite form Mexico oval cut
Detailed sheet
smithsonite
Name honoring James Smithson (1765-1829), founder of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington (USA).
It is also called bonamite.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Zn[CO3]
zinc carbonate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
blue
Other colors
pink, green
Color of streak
white
Luster
pearly, vitreous
Hardness
4.0 to 5.0
Density
4.10 to 4.65
Cleavage
perfect
Fracture
uneven
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
opaque, translucent
Refractive index
1.620 - 1.850
Double refraction
0.220
strong, negative uniaxial
visible double refraction
Yes
Dispersion
0.020(0.010)
Pleochroism
variable
Number of colors
1
Fluorescence
variable
blue, pink, brown
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
compact masses, fibro-radiated or banded, botryoidal
crystals system
trigonal
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Astrological sign
Gemini, Sagittarius
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
Mineral commonly found in oxidation zones of zinc-bearing veins: Australia, Spain, United States (New Mexico), Greece (Attica), Mexico (Sonora), Italy (region of Iglesias, Sardinia), Namibia (Tsumeb), Zimbabwe (Broken Hill) …
use in jewelry
It is cut cabochon but it’s mainly a collection stone.
Almost transparent varieties or translucent blue ones from Mexico are very popular.
Generally smithsonite the more is transparent and colorful, the more it is appreciated: such as red or purple varieties.
Daily care
and precautions
fragile, sensitive to schocks
Historical
healing properties
It would be a nice stone, sweet but it must be carefully chosen and apply the correct shade on the right chakra. Which is difficult because there are only found slices of mixed colors.
It should be for not pubescent girls, adolescents because it is very soothing.
The green smithsonite should be used on the heart chakra and would have soothing qualities.
Other
Gems
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