mineral
Arsenopyrite with Schist Matrix
Arsenopyrite (FeAsS)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 5.5-6.0 on the Mohs scale; Color: Silver-white to steel-gray, often with a yellow tarnish; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Distinct; Specific Gravity: 5.9-6.2
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Silver-white to steel-gray, often with a yellow tarnish
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5.5-6.0 on the Mohs scale; Color: Silver-white to steel-gray, often with a yellow tarnish; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Distinct; Specific Gravity: 5.9-6.2
Formation & geological history
Formed in high-temperature hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and contact metamorphic environments. Often associated with quartz and various ores through magmatic differentiation or metamorphic processes.
Uses & applications
Primary ore of arsenic; historically used in metallurgical processes, insecticides, and pigments. In the modern era, it is primarily a collector's mineral and a byproduct in gold mining.
Geological facts
When struck with a hammer, it releases a distinct, garlic-like odor which is a key identifying characteristic of arsenic-bearing minerals. It is the most common arsenic mineral found in the Earth's crust.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its high density, metallic silver-gray streak, and garlic smell when crushed. Commonly found in metamorphic belts like the Appalachians, Alps, and Andes, or mining districts in China and Canada.
