The chemical formula of mineral Paradamite is indicated by Zn2AsO4(OH) or Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide. Paradamite is actually a Silicate mineral. It is most commonly used as mineral specimen and is often found showing interesting appearance when viewed under petrographic polarizing microscopes. Paradamite is said to be dimorpous with the famous arsenic mineral called adamite. In the field of optical mineralogy dimorphous means two minerals have the same formula but different structures. The different structure of the mineral Paradamite produces only slight difference in crystal forms. The typical form of mineral Adamite is wedge shaped prismatic crystals with diamond-shaped cross-sections. The form of Paradamite is more tabular in character and very different from that of the adamite. Although their names are similar and their chemistry is the same, adamite and Paradamite are absolutely distinct minerals.
Paradamite is associated with adamite as well as other common oxidized arsenic minerals. It should be noted on the other hand that dimorphic minerals are usually not directly associated. The diverse conditions required to produce a different structure from the same chemistry are often so radically different that the minerals are not found together. However, the two minerals can be found together and sometimes grade into each other if the conditions required to produce the two minerals are only slightly different.
Mineral Paradamite is most commonly found yellow in color which can be seen more fascinatingly wonderful when viewed with the aid of petrographic polarizing light microscope used in the field of optical mineralogy. Paradamite is also most commonly found showing vitreous luster when viewed in reflected light of polarized microscope for mineralogists. Most Paradamite crystals are found transparent to translucent in appearance. Paradamite is known to crystallize in the triclinic system of crystal formation. The crystal habit of mineral Paradamite as described in optical mineralogy includes rounded tabular crystals and crystals are usually aggregated. Paradamite is also most commonly found showing perfect cleavage when viewed with the aid of polarized light microscope. Paradamite also exhibits uneven fracture when closely evaluated with the aid of polarizing microscopes used in the field of optical mineralogy. The hardness measure of mineral Paradamite when specimen is evaluated using the Mohs scale method is usually 3.5. The specific gravity measure of mineral Paradamite is approximately 4.5 grams per cubic centimeters to 4.6 grams per cubic centimeters, which is considered heavy for translucent minerals. Paradamite is most commonly found leaving a white streak when specimen is rubbed on a white porcelain streak plate. Some Paradamite specimens are fluorescent yellow under short wave ultraviolet light. The best field indicators of mineral Paradamite include color, crystal habit, fluorescence, density, and associations. Paradamite is commonly found associated with other minerals including adamite, legrandite, limonite, smithsonite, austenite, mimetite and other zinc oxidation zone minerals. Paradamite is limited to the famous mines of Mapini, Durango, Mexico.
