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.

Hardness

3.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareAdelite-Descloizite Group family

Zincolivenite

Hardness: 3.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this zincolivenite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch zincolivenite with a known reference. Zincolivenite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: green, greenish blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, radial.

Often confused with

Zincolivenite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Olivenite

Mohs 3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Zincolivenite leaves white, Olivenite leaves olive-green to brown; luster reads vitreous on Zincolivenite and adamantine to vitreous, pearly to silky if fibrous on Olivenite.

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
Density: 4.34 g/cm³
Colors: Green Greenish blue
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Prismatic, radial
Cleavage: Perfect on (010), imperfect on (101)
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Secondary in weathered tennantite deposits

Where rockhounds find zincolivenite

Classic worldwide localities

Kamariza dump, Lavrion deposit, Attika Prefecture, Greece
Penberthy Croft mine and Wheal Phoenix, Cornwall, Ireland
Dolyhir quarry, Powys, Ireland
Ecton Hill, Staffordshire, Ireland
Potts Gill, Sandbed and Driggith mines (and several smaller trials) in the Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, Ireland
High Longrigg mine and Stennerskeugh Clouds mine, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, Britain, Ireland

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Secondary in weathered tennantite deposits. If you start seeing jarosite, conichalcite, alumopharmacosiderite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: prismatic, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify zincolivenite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white. Common colors include green, greenish blue.

Where is zincolivenite found?+

Notable localities include Kamariza dump, Lavrion deposit, Attika Prefecture, Greece; Penberthy Croft mine and Wheal Phoenix, Cornwall, Ireland; Dolyhir quarry, Powys, Ireland; Ecton Hill, Staffordshire, Ireland; Potts Gill, Sandbed and Driggith mines (and several smaller trials) in the Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, Ireland.

Is zincolivenite safe to handle?+

Zincolivenite contains arsenic and copper and calls for real care. Contains arsenic, which is toxic; wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens and avoid inhaling dust or powder.

What rocks look like zincolivenite?+

Zincolivenite is most often confused with Olivenite, Adamite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with zincolivenite?+

Zincolivenite commonly co-occurs with Jarosite, Conichalcite, Alumopharmacosiderite, Arseniosiderite, Scorodite, Azurite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does zincolivenite form in?+

Where it forms: Secondary in weathered tennantite deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is zincolivenite used for?+

Zincolivenite is used in collector.

Find zincolivenite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.