Smithsonite has often been confused with Hemimorphite, and the two were believed the be the same species for a long time. In 1832 it was officially named Smithsonite after James Smithson, the British mineralogist and benefactor of the famous Smithsonian Institute in Washington. It can be found in a wide range of colours, Cadmium creating yellow crystals, Cobalt creating the pinks and purples whilst Copper results in blue or green specimens.
Alternative Names | Aztec Stone, Bonamite |
Colour | Pink, White, Purple, Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown |
Hardness | 4 - 4.5 |
Crystal system | Trigonal |
Streak | White |
Lustre | Vitreous, Pearly |
Main Locations | Namibia, Zambia, USA |
Chakra | Heart, Throat |
Zodiac | Pisces, Virgo |
Numerology | 7 |
Planetary | Neptune |
Element | Water |