Smithsonite Visible to Near-infrared Spectra (350 - 2800 nm)
Smithsonite, ZnCO3, a zinc carbonate, occurs in a variety of colors. An
absorption band centered at 937 nm that is responsible for the
bluish-green color arises from Cu2+,
a commonly associated minor component of the smithsonite. Cadmium (as
inclusions of the sulfide) is the cause of yellow color.
Images of representative smithsonite spectra
-
GRR164 spectrum; Kelly Mine,
New Mexico. Transluscent, light green, polycrystalline mass, 1.22 mm thick. The color comes from the absorption by Cu2+. Data File: unpolarized;
- GRR 3339 spectrum: Arizona; Transluscent green, polycrystalline mass , 1.299 mm thick, contains copper as the minor component and a trace of manganese. The color comes from the absorption by Cu2+ . Data File: polarized.
Data Files
-
no other data files
Notes on the color of smithsonite
Blue-Green; From the Graphic Mine, Kelly, Socorro County, New Mexico.
Bershov et al (1968) examined blue smithsonite and concluded that Cu2+ isomorphously replaces Zn2+ in smithsonite.
Yellow; From Marion County, Arkansas
In 1938, Schaller and Fairchild attributed the color of yellow
smithsonite to the presence of greenockite (CdS) at the level of a few tenths of a
percent. Hurlbut (1954) analyzed smithsonite from the Broken Hill Mine,
Rhodesia and found 0.4 wt% FeO and 0.05 wt% CdO.
Light brownish to yellowish smithsonite from Katy, Poland, was
described by Zabinski (1958). He found iron contents ranging up to 15.8
wt% FeO. His X-ray data indicated that iron and zinc isomorphously
substitute for each other in smithsonite.
Pink; From Chihuahua, Mexico
Mincheva-Stepanova (1955) and Mincheva-Stefonova and Neikov (1991)
described raspberry-red to peach-colored smithsonite from Bulgaria that
contained up to 5.30 wt% CoO.
Others:
Light brownish to yellowish smithsonite from Katy, Poland, was
described by Zabinski (1958). He found iron contents ranging up to 15.8
wt% FeO. His X-ray data indicated that iron and zinc isomorphously
substitute for each other in smithsonite.
Bershov, L. V.; Mineeva, R. M.; Nyussik, Ya. M (1968) Forms of copper
entrance into some minerals. Geokhimiya 11, 1398-400. In
Russian.
Schaller WT, Fairchild JG (1938) Cadmium in smithsonite from New Mexico. American Mineralogist 23, 894-897.
Hurlbut CS (1954) Smithsonite from Broken Hill Mine, Rhodesia. American Mineralogist 39, 47-50.
Mincheva-Stepanova J (1955) A hydrothermal cobaltoan smithsonite.
Izvestiya na Geologicheskiya Institut, Bulgarska Akademiya na Naukite
3, 3-24. In German.
Mincheva-Stefanova, I, Neikov K (1991) Varieties of the hydrothermal
smithsonite from the Sedmochislenici deposit, western Stara Planina.
Geokhimiya, Mineralogiya i Petrologiya 27, 63-95. In Bulgarian.
Zabinski W (1958) Ferrosmithsonite (monheimite) from Katy near Chorzow.
Bulletin de l'Academie Polonaise de Sciences, Serie des Sciences,
Chimiques, Geologiques et Geographiques 6, 389-93.
Reference to smithsonite spectroscopy
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