TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Adamita

Adamita is a mineral with formula Zn₂AsO₄(OH), in the Arseniatos group. This specimen comes from Mina Ojuela, Mapimí, Durango, México and joined the Terrium collection in 1975.

Adamita from Mina Ojuela, Mapimí, Durango, México — Terrium

Description

Good specimen of pale green adamite, well terminated and with excellent lustre on the typical red limonite matrix from Mapimí. The arrangement of the crystals at multiple angles and in cavities makes a fixed display position difficult; it is ideal to view in 360°. Very intense fluorescence under UV light.

History of this specimen

Although it has its original tag for species and provenance we've been unable to relate to any previous specific ownership.

About Adamita

Adamite is a secondary zinc arsenate, typical of the oxidation zones of zinc- and arsenic-rich deposits.

About the locality

The Ojuela Mine, at Mapimí, is a classic locality for adamite, cuproadamite, mimetite and hemimorphite.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0038
Composition
Zn₂AsO₄(OH)
Name
Adamita
Group
Arseniatos
Category
Lucimera
Matrix
Limonita
Mine
Mina Ojuela
District / Municipality
Mapimí
Region
Durango
Country
México
Size (cm)
6.8 x 4.7 x 3.5
Weight
81.4 g
Acquired
1975
Ex-collection
Desconocido > Fran Becerra
Etymology
A classic etymological false friend: although it shares the root "adamas" with diamond, adamite is simply named in honour of Gilbert-Joseph Adam, who brought the first samples from Chañarcillo, the type locality that allowed the species to be identified.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Estable

Related specimens

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