Smithsonite with Fluorite

Sheshodonnell mine in County Clare, Ireland, is well known amongst collectors for its vivid yellow specimens of cadmium Smithsonite.  This small cabinet specimen is a rich example from the Mike Brooke collection and is a terrific example of this most attractive form of Smithsonite.  This small mine, almost a trial, was worked for lead for a short period between 1862-1863 with almost four tonnes of this yellow Smithsonite being dumped as a gangue mineral.  This was the state of play when Sir Arthur Russell visited the site in 1917 where he was able to collect abundant specimens.  Why can’t I ever visit a site like this?  Covering a matrix of hard crystalline limestone, the Smithsonite forms a thick undulating botryoidal crust of rather acidic, deep lemon yellow with the larger hemispheres to 1.3 cm diameter.  Several patches of purple Fluorite are embedded adjacent to the Smithsonite along the top of the specimen, some as remaining crystalline fragments a few with still intact cube faces.  What appears to be a secondary overgrowth of 1 mm Smithsonite spheres of a brighter light lemon, are scattered over the surface.  A fabulous Sheshodonnell cadmium Smithsonite with minor Fluorite.