Smithsonite, El Refugio Mine, Choix, Sinaloa, Mexico
Contributed by: Chris Clemens
minID: 860-1NY
Date: Apr 18th, 2026
Locality: El Refugio Mine, Choix, Choix Municipality, Sinaloa, Mexico (See on Mindat)
Size: 56 x 17 x 70 mm
Weight: 71 g
Description:
The El Refugio mine, located in Choix, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, is a notable source of beautiful specimens of the zinc carbonate mineral smithsonite. These specimens are often very colorful and display well under normal light. Some of this material also shows a deep, intense fluorescent response under shortwave UV, usually in colors of blue and/or pink. This example consists of botryoidal pink/lavender smithsonite that shows a moderate, but intense blue, fluorescent response under shortwave UV. This piece does not fluoresce under longwave UV.
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