|
Home »
Minerals »
Arsenopyrite
Arsenopyrite - Mineral Properties and Uses |
|
|
What is Arsenopyrite? |
Arsenopyrite is an iron arsenic sulfide. It is the most common arsenic mineral and the primary ore of arsenic metal. It is most often found as a hydrothermal vein mineral and sometimes as a mineral of contact metamorphism. It is sometimes referred to in old texts as "mispickel". |
Uses |
Arsenopyrite uses include: poison, preservative, pigment. |
Color |
silver white to steel gray |
Streak |
dark grayish black |
Luster |
metallic |
Diaphaneity |
opaque |
Cleavage |
poor |
Hardness |
5.5 - 6 |
Specific Gravity |
5.9 - 6.2 |
Distinguishing
Characteristics |
smells like garlic when crushed, crystal form |
Crystal System |
monoclinic |
Chemical Classification |
sulfide |
Chemical Composition |
iron arsenic sulfide, FeAsS |
|
|
 |
Arsenopyrite from Gold Hill, Utah.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
|
 |
Cobaltian Arsenopyrite (or Danaite) from near Drammen, Norway.
Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.
|
More Information About Minerals!
Mineral photographs that appear on this page with a Geology.com copyright mark are property of Geology.com and may not be used beyond our website. If you like these photos and would like to share them with others please link to this page or email its URL. The photos were taken and composed by Ann Bryant.
|
|
|
