Smithsonite Var. Manganoan (Ref: 7254)

Here we see a fine specimen of Manganoan-Smithsonite from the famous Tsumeb Mine of Namibia. Manganese-bearing Smithsonite from a single pocket in Tsumeb in the 1980s is one of the rarest varieties of its kind and is instantly recognizable to the trained eye due to its unique red hue combined with sharp rhombic crystals. This is a choice small cabinet-sized specimen with numerous 0.5 cm crystals scattered over a Tennantite matrix. These are so rare on the market today that we buy any we can get. Often at the time, they were mistakenly labeled as cobalt-bearing Smithsonites (which are much more common in Tsumeb), and it was only later that it was discovered that this particular locality was red from manganese, not cobalt inclusions.