Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite)

TSNB652
Specimen
Pinch, W.W.
Exhibit 1. Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite); 69 mm.
Exhibit 1. Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite); 69 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite); 69 mm.
Exhibit 2. Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite); 69 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 3. 22 mm field of view.
Exhibit 3. 22 mm field of view.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Olivenite (w. adamite and malachite)

Associated Minerals

adamite (?); hematite; malachite; quartz; tennantite-(Zn)

Principal Mineral

Olivenite

Size

Cabinet; 69mm

Location in the Mine

Undetermined

Provenance

Pinch, W.W.

Collection

MGMH; 2020.7.2035

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB652

Associated Minerals

adamite (?); hematite; malachite; quartz; tennantite-(Zn)

Description

A shallow vug in tennantite-rich sulphide ore is lined with quartz crystals richly encrusted with earthy, rust-brown hematite. The hematite is peppered with equant, light-green adamite (?) crystals (to 0.5 mm; Exhibit 3). Elongated prismatic crystals of olivenite (to 13 mm) and sparse malachite as radial sprays and spherules complete the paragenesis.


The adamite (?) has not been analysed but the colour implies a low copper content consistent with a composition close to end-member adamite (Southwood et al. 2020).


The specimen was formerly in the Bill Pinch Collection but there is no record of earlier provenance or location in the mine.