It is considered a member of the vivianite group and known for its ability to form crystals in a characteristic apple-green color.

The first report of Annabergite by Axel Fredrik Cronstedt from 1758 erroneously identifies it as a nickel oxide mineral and assigned it the latinized name Ochra niccoli, while Wallerius gave it the name nickel bloom in 1778.

Annabergite was thoroughly described in 1852 by Brooke and Miller[3] from specimens found in Annaberg in Saxony, which was proposed as namesake for the mineral.

[3] Annabergite occurs with ores of nickel and has been found from numerous localities worldwide.

[5] Calcium-bearing specimens, known from Creetown in Kirkcudbrightshire, have been called Dudgeonite,[6] named after its discoverer P.