Hemimorphite and Smithsonite from Craig Rhiwarth Mine, Wales

Mineral Matters #405

I picked out a random specimen from one of my drawers. A couple of relatively common zinc minerals, but quite aesthetic. It is comprised of colourless hemimorphite crystals of a typical habit, with scalenohedral smithsonite, the latter possibly coloured by the underlying matrix.

It comes from an old lead, zinc and copper mine in north Wales. Mindat says that the history of the mine is obscure and although being worked in the 1840s, production had finished some long time prior to 1878.

The specimen previously belonged to Melbourne-based collector, Joan Lamond. I acquired Joan’s micro collection some years back when she was moving to a care home. Joan was well into her nineties when she passed away last year. She obtained the specimen in a trade with the late Harry Critchley in 1990. I assume that Harry collected it, but cannot be sure about that. Harry was an active collector, visiting many locations around the world.

Below: Hemimorphite, Smithsonite, Craig Rhiwarth Mine (Ochrycraig, North Llangynog), Llangynog, Powys, Wales, UK. Width of view 6mm.