Arsenolite

Arsenolite is an arsenic oxide mineral typically formed by the oxidation of arsenic suphides.

Highly toxic. It is typically colourless or white, but impurities can give it pink, yellow, or aqua blue colours.

Information about Arsenolite

Arsenolite is a rare but distinctive arsenic oxide mineral that typically occurs as tiny, transparent to translucent octahedral crystals.

It may also appear as powdery or earthy coatings and encrustations in cavities and fractures of arsenic-bearing ore deposits. Fresh crystals are colourless or white, but they can take on pale shades of grey, pink, or yellow due to impurities.

 

Uses and History

Arsenolite has no significant industrial applications due to its toxicity and instability. It is occasionally collected for mineralogical study or display, although handling requires extreme caution.

Historically, related arsenic oxides were used in pesticides and pigments, but arsenolite itself is mainly of interest to collectors and researchers.

Arsenolite was first described in the early 19th century and derives its name from its chemical composition (arsenic oxide, As₂O₃).

It often forms as a secondary mineral produced by the oxidation of arsenic-bearing sulphides such as arsenopyrite and realgar. Important historical localities include Germany, Italy, and Austria, though it is found worldwide in oxidised arsenic-rich deposits.

 

Mineralogy

Chemistry
An arsenic oxide mineral with the formula As2O3.
Colours and Variations
White, pale blue, pink, pale yellow.
Streak
White to pale yellow.
Luster
Vitreous to silky.
Transparency
Transparent.
Fracture
Conchoidal.
Crystal habit
Typically tiny octahedra in aggregates or crusts. Also botryoidal, stalactitic, earthy.
Mohs hardness
1.5
Tenacity
Fluorescence
None.
Specific Gravity
3.86-3.88
Easiest testing method
Tiny octahedra in association with arsenic minerals. Soluble.
Common occurences
Oxidation of arsenic bearing sulphides in hydrothermal veins – also occurs in post mining exposures due to mine or coal seam fires.

Hazards and Warnings

Extremely toxic – contains arsenic trioxide; dust is deadly if inhaled or ingested; handle only with strict safety precautions. Highly soluble, even in water.

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

 

Translations

Arabic:

  • أرسينوليت

Hindi:

Portuguese:

Bengali:

Indonesian:

Punjabi:

English:

  • Arsenolite

Italian:

Russian:

  • Арсенолит

French:

  • Arsénolite

Japanese:

Spanish:

  • Arsenolit

German:

  • Arsenolit

Korean:

Thai:

Gujurati:

Mandarin Chinese:

  • 砷华

Urdu:

Further Reading / External Links