Zincolivenite is an uncommon arsenate mineral that sits chemically between olivenite and adamite. Collectors usually find it as striking acicular to fibrous sprays or crusts within the oxidized zones of copper-zinc hydrothermal deposits.
Is this zincolivenite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch zincolivenite with a known reference. Zincolivenite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Zincolivenite leaves a light green streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Zincolivenite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: green, yellow-green, olive-green.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, radiating sprays, fibrous masses.
Often confused with
Zincolivenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zincolivenite leaves light green, Olivenite leaves olive-green; luster reads vitreous on Zincolivenite and adamantine on Olivenite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Zincolivenite leaves light green, Adamite leaves white.
Often found alongside zincolivenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with zincolivenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuZn(AsO₄)(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.2-4.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Light Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Radiating Sprays, Fibrous Masses
- Cleavage
- None Observed
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Arsenic-rich Base Metal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per thumbnail or small specimen
Where rockhounds find zincolivenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cap Garonne mine, France
- Tsumeb Mine, Namibia
- Ojuela Mine, Mexico
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of arsenic-rich base metal deposits country — that is the host setting where zincolivenite typically forms. If you start seeing olivenite, adamite, conichalcite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, radiating sprays, fibrous masses habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find zincolivenite on the map
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