Smithsonite - vivid green
stock #21.1-276
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
8.3 x 3.5 x 1.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
A rich, wet-look green Smithsonite from the great early finds at Choix, mined by Benny Fenn Sr. This is a thin plate with minimal matrix behind a lustrous layer of Smithsonite. This is an unusually deep color for this locale (which had an amazing array of colors and hues). Comparing Smithsonite colors from around the world it is hard to find an exact match, some similarity to a few Laviron, Greece pieces and of course the Kelly Mine of New Mexico are noted but this particular hue really does not match those locales. In excellent condition, this is am older specimen and the mine is abandoned now so there may never be more like it.
Smithsonite - pink, botryoidal
stock #21.1-268
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
6.7 x 5.6 x 3.4 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
Early summer 2021
A quite old specimen from early finds at Choix, with fine pink color. In some lighting the pink has a slight purplish hue but under most conditions this is really pink. Worldwide there are not many pink botryoidal Smithsonites found (pink crystals from Tsumeb are well-known but none botryoidal), Choix is one of the very few localities and these were never common when the zone was producing. Since this locality is now abandoned there may never be more. A very pretty addition to any Smithsonite collection.
Smithsonite - multi-color
stock #21.1-094
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
10.3 x 8.4 x 4.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Early summer 2021
Rich color and a wet-looking luster in a sizable specimen from the "golden years" at Choix. The colors range from pink to light violet with some yellow zones as well. Choix produced a wide range of Smithsonite hues which are quite rare in the rest of the world. Sadly the locality is not workable any more but it was once prolific. The surface has the velvety chatoyance and distinct botryoidal form that makes these great specimens. This one also has a fair amount of Smithsonite on the back side though the front as seem is certainly the display side. Choice and better in person.
Excellent blue-green color Smithsonite with a wet look, shimmering luster. The botryoidal surface is host to several "eyes" which are holes with a white rim which adds an nice contrast. The remarkable deposit at Choix is not producing at this time, but when it was active the Smithsonites were plentiful on the market. Many colors and forms were found making this a world class locale, often compared with the Kelly Mine in the USA. This piece has the eyes that were famed at the Kelly Mine and the color is comparable too, but as a Mexican specimen this is less costly and a great value for a pretty blue-green cabinet sized Smithsonite..
Smithsonite - purple to pink
stock #20.1-922
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
7.3 x 5.1 x 3 CM (cabinet)
price: $290
new year 2021
Purple Smithsonte is very uncommon worldwide, the best source was this small deposit in Sinaloa that has not produced much of any quality for several years. This is an older specimen with a nice velvet sheen on a botryoidal surface that gives a rather wet looking luster. This Smithsonite grades in color from a darker purple to more pink areas with some nice color mottling. Choix Smithsonites are still much lower in cost than almost any other locale, they are an excellent value yet often equally attractive. The color is what sets this piece apart, a choice addition to any Smithsonite or Mexican suite.
Smithsonite
stock #17.1-614
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
6.2 x 3.9 x 3.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $180
Spring 2020
"Wet-look" luster on bubble-gum pink Smithsonite from Choix. In undamaged condition, this is from the early finds made by Benny Fenn. This locality in Sinaloa is not currently producing, it has however in the past yielded many great colors and forms of Smithsonite. This is a good clean small cabinet size that shows the color and habit well. A thick layer with nice luster shows the inner structure on the edges.
Smithsonite-
stock #17.1-600
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
5 x 3.2 x 1.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $330
Top color, a bright pink Smithsonite from an old find at Choix. This small prospect has been the source of some incredible Smithsonites with remarkable colors. This is a really intense "bubble gum" pink even more vivid in person. The delicate botryoidal form is quite three dimensional on this piece. No longer available the locality has become too dangerous for any mining, and in recent years very few good specimens were found as the locale is more or less played out. Great display impact for the size
Smithsonite -Purple
stock #17.1-598
Choix, Municipio de Choix
Sinaloa,
Mexico
4.3 x 3.4 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $260
A purple Smithsonite with distinct botryoidal structure and an elegant sculptural form. Purple is perhaps the rarest Smithsonite color and not known from many other localities. From the early finds by Benny Fenn this is a nice miniature that looks fine from either side. Sadly this locality is no longer working as it is quite dangerous at this time. In excellent condition as seen, a nice addition to any suite of Smithsonite or of Mexican minerals.