Adamite Information Page

Adamite is a favorite among collectors of fluorescent minerals because of its consistent bright green fluorescence under short wave and long wave UV light. It also makes a wonderful mineral specimen in normal daylight or artificial light. The typical yellow to green color of its high luster Adamite crystals that form on top of normal brick red-orange limonite matrix make these specimens really attractive.

Adamite is a Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide mineral. It is a mineral that typically occurs in the oxidized or weathered zone above zinc ore occurrences. Pure Adamite is colorless, but usually it possesses a yellow color due to Iron mixed in the mineral structure. A green color may also occur and is due to copper mixed in the mineral structure. The yellow to green colored crystals with their distinctive lime green fluorescence make Adamite a favorite among mineral collectors. Adamite is found in Mapimi, Mexico; Greece; in the USA in California and Utah. Adamite occurs as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of zinc and arsenic bearing hydrothermal mineral deposits. It occurs in association with Smithsonite, Hemimorphite, Olivenite, Calcite, Quartz, Iron and Manganese oxides.

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Here's an excellent Large display specimen of Adamite from our Personal Collection. This piece has an attractive group of sharp yellow Adamite crystals on red brown Limonite matrix. The Adamite crystals have a nice vitreous luster. This is an old stock 1950's specimen we obtained from the James Smedley Collection "Mineral Museum" in Follansbee, WV.  Last Photo shows fluorescent view under 13W Way-Too-Cool SW Ultra Violet light.

This specimen weighs 18.9 oz or 1.18 lbs (537g) and measures 4.8 x 2.9 x 2.2 inches (12.3 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm)