What on Earth is Smithsonite?

Smithsonite is a zinc carbonate mineral (ZnCO3) with a pearly to silky lustre, found in pink, blue, green, purple, yellow, grey, white and colourless forms and rated 4.5 on the Mohs scale. It was long confused with hemimorphite until James Smithson told them apart in 1803, and today it is mostly a collector's stone, found in France, England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Madagascar, the USA, Mexico and Namibia. Read on for its properties, history and lore, and browse our mineral specimens.

The Physical Properties of Smithsonite

Smithsonite is a zinc carbonate mineral with gemstone quality and is sometimes referred to as zinc spar. Most of its deposits are found in botryoidal or globular clusters. Only a few localities are known to produce pure and large crystals, and it is rarely found in well-formed crystals. They are rare and lesser-known gemstones that are sought mostly by gem collectors. The color of smithsonite varies depending on the trace impurities found in the gem. Red and brown (iron impurities), yellow (cadmium impurities), purple and pink (cobalt impurities), and green and blue (copper impurities). On the Mohs scale of hardness, smithsonite has a value of 4.5.

The History of Smithsonite

For many years, it was thought that hemimorphite and smithsonite were the same mineral. James Smithson was the first to describe them as two different minerals (zinc silicate and zinc carbonate) in 1803. In 1832, Francois Sulpice Beudant (French geologist and mineralist) named it smithsonite in honor of J. Smithson.

The Lore of Smithsonite

In crystal lore, smithsonite is a stone of calm and gentle strength, and it is often associated with new beginnings.

The Metaphysical Properties of Smithsonite

In crystal practice, smithsonite is a stone for people facing legal troubles, interpersonal conflicts or arguments where the mind is fuelling the conflict. It is also used as a meditation companion, a way to settle into a quiet, reflective frame of mind.

Smithsonite can make its wearer more receptive to love (beyond interpersonal love) by allowing for the experience of Universal Love. It teaches about the expression and experience of Love energy and encourages communication with angelic guides and entities. Smithsonite's loving vibrations are linked with the Heart Chakra, the centre of love and compassion.

Crystal practitioners reach for smithsonite when working through heartache, sorrow, resentment or grief. It is said to open one up to repressed emotions, encourage forgiveness and kindness, and remind us that only change moves us forward. Its energy is described as helping you focus on what you need and tune out the rest of the world.

Cerussite, malachite, and blue hemimorphite are often combined with smithsonite for the best effect because they naturally occur together.