Minerals: Smithsonite, Gypsum
Locality: Jean Baptiste Mine, Lavrion Mining District, Lavreotiki, East Attica, Attica, Greece
Dimensions: 62mm x 62mm x 30mm
Weight: 113g

The historic Lavrion Mining District in Greece has produced an extraordinary range of secondary minerals, although specimens from the area are becoming increasingly difficult to source. At the Jean Baptiste Mine, gypsum is more common than smithsonite, making this richly coloured combination particularly appealing.

The smithsonite forms a vibrant orange coating across much of the matrix, with a fine sparkling surface. Across it sit numerous gypsum crystals in a wonderful variety of sizes, from tiny delicate points through to much larger, well developed crystals rising above the surface.

There is a lovely contrast between the softness of the orange smithsonite and the translucent gypsum, while the variation in crystal size gives the specimen plenty of texture and depth. Closer inspection reveals an enormous amount of fine detail across the surface, particularly where the smaller gypsum crystals scatter across the smithsonite beneath.

It displays beautifully both flat and on its side, with each orientation revealing a different part of the composition. A wonderfully vibrant specimen from one of Europe’s great historic mining districts, and a particularly fun example of a locality that is becoming increasingly difficult to find on the market.