Zinc arsenate hydroxide forming vivid yellow-green fluorescent crystals. Popular collector mineral from Mexican localities. Color: Yellow-green, colorless, purple cobaltoan. Luster: Vitreous. Streak: White. Cleavage: Good in two directions. Hardness: 3.5. Transparency: Transparent to translucent. Crystal system: Orthorhombic. Chemical formula: Zn₂AsO₄ OH. Specific gravity: 4.32-4.48. Formation: Forms in the oxidized zone of zinc-arsenic ore deposits as a secondary mineral. Common geological settings: Mexico Ojuela Mine , Greece, Chile, Namibia; found in oxidized zinc deposits. Common look-alikes and related entries: Olivenite, Hemimorphite, Smithsonite. Specimen safety: Keep this arsenic-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust or fumes, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets.
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These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
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GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:37:50.769185+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
Arsenic (inorganic compounds, as As) — CDC/NIOSH. Official occupational-hazard, exposure-route, symptom, and protective-equipment information for inorganic arsenic compounds.
Zinc arsenate hydroxide forming vivid yellow-green fluorescent crystals. Popular collector mineral from Mexican localities.
How can you identify Adamite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Yellow-green, colorless, purple cobaltoan; lustre: Vitreous; streak: White; Mohs hardness: 3.5; cleavage: Good in two directions; crystal system: Orthorhombic; transparency: Transparent to translucent. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Adamite form?
Forms in the oxidized zone of zinc-arsenic ore deposits as a secondary mineral.
Where is Adamite commonly found?
Mexico Ojuela Mine , Greece, Chile, Namibia; found in oxidized zinc deposits.
Is Adamite safe to handle?
Keep this arsenic-bearing specimen intact. Do not cut, grind, polish, streak, lick, heat, or use acid on it. Avoid creating or breathing dust or fumes, wash your hands with soap and water after handling, and keep it away from food, children, and pets. Avoid creating dust or using destructive tests on an unknown specimen, and follow site-specific safety procedures.
What is Adamite commonly confused with?
Adamite may be confused with Olivenite, Hemimorphite, Smithsonite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
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