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www.mineralgallery.co.za Minerals A-E |
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Arsenopyrite |
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Name
Arsenopyrite
Chemistry
FeAsS (Fe 34.30%, ) (As 46.01%,) (S 19.69%)
Uses
as ore and sometimes as specimens.
Color-
tin-white, light steel-grey
Hardness
5.5 - 6.0 (brittle)
Specific gravity
5.9 - 6.2
Crystal system:
monoclinic(pseudorhombic)
Crystal form:
prisms, pseudo-octahedra, twins.
Accompanied by:
stibnite, galena, pyrite.
Fracture
uneven
Luster
metallic
Cleavage
good on(110), imperfect on (001)
Streak
black
Similar to:
chloanthite, skutterudite
A major ore of arsenic, Arsenopyite can contain a small amount of gold as an impurity. Although an ore of arsenic, it is not intentionally mined for that reason. In processing the ore of other elements some arsenopyrite is "accidentally" included and gives off its arsenic as fumes that are then recovered. This "accidental" source supplies most of the world's needs in arsenic.
Arsenopyrite makes attractive mineral specimens as well. It's well formed crsytals show a distinct and interesting crystal form. A typical crystal contains a diamond shaped dome atop a prismatic crystal. The crystals have sharp acute angles that are a marked contrast from other sulfides that generally have only obtuse angles.
