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Smithsonite (Photo)

Year of discovery: 1832 (World), 1885 (Japan)

Locality list: 40 localities of smithsonite

• ZnCO₃
• [Zn²⁺][CO₃]^2-

• Class: Calcite group
• Class: Carbonate
• Soluble in: HCl (with bubbles), HNO₃ (with bubbles), H₂SO₄ (with bubbles)
• Fluorescence: UV excitation (Pale green-Pale blue)

• Zn => Ca: Calcite, Aragonite, Vaterite
• Zn => Mg: Magnesite
• Zn => Fe: Siderite (Series)
• Zn => Cd: Otavite
• Zn => Mn: Rhodochrosite
• Zn => Ni: Gaspéite (Gaspeite)
• Zn => Co: Spherocobaltite
• Zn => Ba: Witherite
• Zn => Sr: Strontianite
• Zn => Pb: Cerussite
• Zn => Na₂: Gregoryite

• Color: White, Yellow, Green, Purple
• Streak: White
• Luster: Vitreous
• Diaphaneity: Translucent

• Habit: Acicular, Prismatic
• Aggregate: Radial, Reniform

• Cleavage: Perfect on {1011} (3 planes)
• Hardness: 4-4.5
• Density: 4.4

• System: Trigonal
• Group: (-3)m, R(-3)c
• Lattice: a=4.7, c=15.0

Etymology: James Smithson (1754-1829), British mineralogist who established the Smithonian Museum Complex in Washington, USA