Adamite
| Colour | Yellow, Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous |
| Streak | White to pale green |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | {101}, good; {010}, poor |
| Fracture | Uneven to subconchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Zn 2 AsO 4 OH |
| Specific gravity | 4.32–4.48 measured |
What is Adamite?
Adamite is a zinc arsenate hydroxide mineral, Zn2AsO4OH. It is a mineral that typically occurs in the oxidized or weathered zone above zinc ore occurrences. Pure adamite is colorless, but usually it possess yellow color due to Fe compounds admixture. Tints of green also occur and are connected with copper substitutions in the mineral structure. Olivenite is a copper arsenate that is isostructural with adamite and there is considerable substitution between zinc and copper resulting in an intermediate called cuproadamite. Zincolivenite is an intermediate mineral with formula CuZn(AsO4)(OH). Mang
How to identify Adamite
- Lustre: Vitreous.
- Hardness: Mohs 3.5 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: White to pale green.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Adamite in different forms
Stones often confused with Adamite
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Adamite?
Adamite is Mohs 3.5 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Adamite?
Adamite is typically yellow, green (Pale yellow, honey-yellow, brownish yellow, reddish; rarely white, colorless, blue, pale green to green, may be zoned).