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Formula: CuZn(AsO4)(OH)
Anhydrous arsenate containing hydroxyl,
olivenite group, intermediate member of the
solid solution series between olivenite and adamite.
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.34 measured, 4.330 calculated
Hardness: 3½
Streak: White
Colour: Green, greenish blue
Environments
Zincolivenite is an uncommon secondary
arsenic-bearing mineral typically found only as
microcrystals or microcrystalline crusts in the oxidised section of arsenide and sulphosalt-bearing mineral deposits,
particularly where tennantite is a
primary mineral
(MW).
At the type locality, Agios Konstantinos, Lavrion District Mines, Lavreotiki, Attica, Greece, zincolivenite occurs in the cavities
of limonite ores, associated with scorodite,
pharmacoalumite, jarosite,
conichalcite and arseniosiderite
(Mindat).
Zincolivenite from Agios Konstantinos - Image
At Tynagh Mine, Killimor, County Galway, Connacht, Ireland, supergene
zincolivenite was formed by the weathering of tennantite
(R&M 12.3-11).
At Tsumeb, Namibia, zincolivenite is associated with ferrilotharmeyerite and
sparse wulfenite. Crystals to 2 cm have been found associated with
chudobaite and johillerite, and tiny acicular
crystals with leiteite and legrandite.
Other associated
minerals include tsumcorite,
duftite/conichalcite,
adamite, rosasite,
zincgartrellite, tennantite,
tangeite, malachite,
schultenite, olivenite,
goethite and gartrellite, often on
dolostone or quartz
(R&M 95.3.210-232).
Zincolivenite forms crystals of bright green to apple-green and olive-green colour; it is much more common than
low-copper, yellow to pale green adamite.
Prismatic crystals up to 1.3 cm have been found. The finest specimens (surely the finest in the world for the species),
with bright green crystal fans to 6 cm, were found in 1986, associated with yellow
ferrilotharmeyerite
(Minrec 55.6 supplement p196).
Zincolivenite from Tsumeb - Image
At Wheal Phoenix, near Liskeard, Cornwall, England, UK, zincolivenite has been found with
azurite
(R&M 12.3-11).
At Penberthy Croft Mine, St Hilary, Cornwall, England, UK, zincolivenite has been found in a single specimen of
heavily limonitised quartz associated with
bayldonite and beudantite
(R&M 12.10-14).
At Potts Gill Mine, Caldbeck, Allardale, Cumbria, England, UK, zincolivenite is commonly found with
philipsburgite and zálesíite
(R&M 12.3-11).
At the Sandbed and Driggith mines, Caldbeck, Allardale, Cumbria, England, UK, zincolivenite is usually found on its own, but
occasionally it is associated with bayldonite,
mimetite or hemimorphite
(R&M 12.3-11).
At Stennerskeugh Clouds Mine, Kirkby Stephen, Eden, Cumbria, England, UK, zincolivenite has been found with
azurite, duftite and
mimetite in baryte- and
tennantite-bearing veinstone
(R&M 12.3-11).
At the Dolyhir Quarry, Old Radnor, Powys, Wales, UK, zincolivenite occurs in a
galena -
tennantite - baryte vein as crusts on
calcite and azurite and with associated
tyrolite
(MW, R&M 12.3-11).
Zincolivenite from the Dolyhir Quarry - Image
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