Mineral - Arsenic
Arsenic
Chemical Properties
Mineral Class
Elements
Toxicity
high
Formula
As
Unit Cell
a=3.76 c=10.55 Z=6
Physical Properties
Hardness
3.5
Streak
graygray white
Density
Heavy (3,5-6)
Cleavage
Perfect after {001}, distinct after {104}
Fracture
uneven
Tenacity
Brittle
Optical Properties
Color
blackgraysilver
Birefringence
Luster
Metallic,
Earthy
Transparency
opaque
Pleochroism
Geomineralogical Properties
Crystal System
trigonal
Point Group
ditrigonal-scalenohedral - 3 m
Space Group
R 3 m (166)
Habit
coarse, crusty, massive, kidney-shaped, prismatic, tabular, grape-shaped
Formation
In hydrothermal ore deposits
Paragenesis
Twinning
Rarely after {104}
Rarity
Common
Synonyms
Arsenic
Composition
Elements
Mass
As
98.14
Sb
1.65
S
0.16
Canada (Palache et al. 1952)
Groups and Members
Arsenic-Group
Name and first discovery : Named after the chemical element, which, due to the potent effect originally attributed to arsenic, was named after the Greek word "arsenikon" for "male".
Chemistry :
Synonyms : Spoon cobalt, native arsenic
Varieties :
Abbreviation : As
literature
Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1952). Dana's system of mineralogy. Geologiska Föreningen i Stockholm Förhandlingar , 74 (2), 218-219.