ADAMITE Chapter 25. Arsenates, arsenites, phosphates, and vanadates

Adamite, a zinc arsenate hydrate mineral, was first reported from Sterling Hill by Frondel (1972) and, as cuproadamite, by Cook (1973); it was verified from Franklin by the writer. The material described as eveite by Cook (1973) was reinvestigated and found to be adamite; it occurs as tabular light brown to dark brown microcrystals (Figure 25-3) associated with willemite, franklinite, rhodochrosite, dolomite, spinel, and graphite.

Several specimens have been confirmed by the writer employing X-ray methods, but no physical or optical data exist; Cook (1973) reported the presence of copper substituting for zinc.




	Figure 25-4. Subspherical and elongate aggregates of cuproan adamite from Sterling Hill. Field of view is 0.5 mm in maximum dimension. Photo courtesy of Tom Peters and the Paterson Museum.

Adamite is sparse at Sterling Hill, occurring as spherules and uncommon aggregates (Figure 25-4) and more commonly as green coatings in vein assemblages and as 1-2 mm crystals associated with barite, kraisslite, and allactite. Additionally, adamite is associated with wallkilldellite as finely-fibrous, yellow-green material, perhaps forming as a replacement of an unknown precursor mineral. Additionally, bright pink and deep yellow adamite is known from the 340 level at Sterling Hill. At Franklin, adamite was found as tabular, lath-like to cushion-shaped crystals (Figure 25-3) with gahnite in a vein assemblage.

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