Smithsonite, Glove Mine, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: U71-3MM
Date: Apr 18th, 2026
Locality: Glove Mine (Sunrise Mine), Glove Mine group (Zombie & Zeco claims; Festiago-Franklin; Blacksmith adit), Cottonwood Canyon, Tyndall Mining District, Santa Cruz County, Arizona, USA (See on Mindat)
Size: 5.5 x 3.7 x 11.2 cm
Weight: 204 g
Description:
Vivid pink and blue fluorescence is seen in this specimen of smithsonite from the Glove Mine in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. When viewed under visible light, a peach colored smithsonite druse and linear boxwork with minor limonitic gossan matrix is seen. Fluorescent only under shortwave UV, the freshly broken surfaces of the boxwork show a vivid pink response, while the crystalline druse fluoresces a pastel blue color. This smithsonite from the Glove Mine shows a fluorescent response that is very similar, but perhaps somewhat brighter, than seen in similar specimens from the better known Choix, Mexico smithsonite location.
The Glove Mine is a past producer of lead, zinc, silver, copper, gold and molybdenum, and began operation during the mid-1900's. It was named after the finger-like ore deposits which lined the ends of tubular ore chimneys like a glove covering the fingers of a hand.
Originally posted by Chris Clemens on Nature's Rainbows in 2020.
Summary of luminescence responses:
Smithsonite (Mindat) (RRUFF)
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Blue
- Fluorescence under Shortwave (254nm Lamp/Mercury) UV light: Pink