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Identity HelpHelp please

19th Oct 2016 11:47 UTCTanya Atkins

Hello everyone :)

I was hoping to identify the mineral below.

From my very early learnings, it reminds me of prehnite but it's more blue than green. A friend thinks it might be hemimorphite?

Is there anyone able to help?

Many thanks

Tanya

19th Oct 2016 12:06 UTCRonnie Van Dommelen 🌟 Manager

Tanya, do you know where it it from?

19th Oct 2016 12:26 UTCErik Vercammen Expert

Hemimorphite is a possibility, as is smithsonite. But as Ronnie said, more information would help us to help you. And, if possible, a picture of the back and the side of the specimen

19th Oct 2016 12:38 UTCTanya Atkins

Thank you for responding, I'm unsure of the origin. Here are some more pictures.

Thank you again :)

19th Oct 2016 12:50 UTCTanya Atkins

Ronnie Van Dommelen Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Tanya, do you know where it it from?

I'm unsure Ronnie. I've posted some more pictures. Thank you.

19th Oct 2016 13:15 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

Tanya,

As the others have said, location is about as important as what a piece is so if you have no location, it will be much harder to figure those things out.

That being said, my best guess from the full photo would be smithsonite and my guess on location is much more vague, New Mexico maybe, or Mexico, other than that you would have to have a close up of the way the mineral forms.

Best of luck

Rolf

19th Oct 2016 18:21 UTCTanya Atkins

Erik, what do you think?

19th Oct 2016 18:21 UTCTanya Atkins

Thank you Rolf :)

19th Oct 2016 19:40 UTCErik Vercammen Expert

Tanya,

Ididn't react at first as I live in Belgium, and are not that familiar with American speciemens and localities.But I agree with Rolf: smithsonite on limestone is the most likely. Try to find a geologist or an experienced collector to judge the pice "in person"; a local club or a mineral show are good opportunities to meet experienced people. BTW: a nice specimen, and there seems to be no damage on the crystals.

20th Oct 2016 00:37 UTCDon Saathoff Expert

Tanya, to me it looks like smithsonite, possibly from the San Antonio el Grande mine, Chihuehua, Mexico.

Don S.

20th Oct 2016 01:50 UTCIan Nicastro

I feel that looks more like Smithsonite from Mexico than from New Mexico.

20th Oct 2016 03:00 UTCJim Allen

At the risk of muddying the waters, this piece very strongly resembles one from my father's collection (ca. 1970). His label says it's quartz over chryscolla, Bisbee, Arizona. Accordingly, the crystals are not really blue, they're really colorless and clear over a blue background. That's one possibility to consider, anyway.

20th Oct 2016 17:28 UTCTanya Atkins

You guys rock - excuse the pun!

There is an abundance of geology sites (I am so sorry if I'm using the wrong terminology! I have a lot to learn) in Cornwall, UK but I struggle to find any groups to join. I will keep the search going.

Thank you again for all your help.

Best wishes

Tanya

21st Oct 2016 12:42 UTCJay I. G. Roland

Tanya, are you actually in Cornwall yourself?

Regards,

Jay.

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