Mineral Species: Cuproadamite

Chemical Formula: (Cu,Zn)2(AsO4)(OH)

Chemical Name: Copper Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide

Mineral Class: Arsenate

Mineral Notes: Cuproadamite is a variety of Adamite containing a high amount of copper. It is a member of the Olivenite Group, between Olivenite and Adamite, but with zinc dominant over copper. Interestingly, whilst Adamite is often fluorescent, Cuproadamite is not. The copper acts as a 'poison' or deactivator for the fluorescence. This is a good way of distinguishing between the minerals. Otherwise nearly all other properties of Cuproadamite are identical to Adamite except colour and density.

Description: A heavy matrix which contains a cavity lined with Cuproadamite. The mineral forms a thin undualting crust which has a very distinctive botryoidal form. The unusual blue-green colour is very attractive.

Location: Lavrion, Attica, Greece.