Adamite (w. smithsonite)

TSNB957
Specimen
Bruce, I.
Exhibit 1. Adamite (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Exhibit 1. Adamite (w. smithsonite); 50 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; adamite.
Exhibit 2. Analytical data; adamite.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood
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Specimen Title

Adamite (w. smithsonite)

Associated Minerals

smithsonite

Principal Mineral

Adamite

Size

Miniature; 50mm

Location in the Mine

Second oxidation zone (?)

Provenance

Bruce, I.

Collection

Southwood, M.; MS2014.149

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB957

Description

Yellowish-green, partly transparent crystals of adamite (to 18 mm) associated with off-white, rod-shaped crystals of smithsonite (EDS and XRD confirmed). The adamite crystals are large for Tsumeb and the habit of the smithsonite is unusual.

Notwithstanding the green colour of the adamite crystals, WDS analysis (Exhibit 2) shows them to be of near end member composition with a mean Cu content of only 0.6 mol % (range 0.32 - 1.13 mol %). 

The specimen was acquired from Ian Bruce in 2014 but without earlier provenance. The location in the mine is not recorded, but it is believed to be from the second oxidation zone and probably from the occurrence which Key (1977) considered to have produced Tsumeb's finest adamite crystals.

Compare TSNB387.  See also Southwood et al. (2020).

WDS and EDS analysis by Jeff Chen, (Australian National University, 2018). XRD analysis by Paul Carr (University of Wollongong, 2019).