Information about Arsenopyrite

A silvery-grey metallic mineral often occurring with striated crystals, sometimes cubic or prismatic.

It is opaque and often occurs as clusters. May well be associated with quartz, pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite – and other arsenic ores or minerals.

Uses and History

Primarily used as an ore of arsenic, which is used for a range of things including wood preservatives and industrial processes.

Officially named in 1847 by Ernst Friedrich Glocker for its chemical composition, including both arsenic and iron – this is a contraction of the term ‘arsenical pyrite’.

It may historically be referred to as ‘arsenical iron’, ‘arsenical pyrite’, or ‘fer arsenical’.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Toxic mineral: Contains arsenic.

Should be handled with care and all dust should be minimised whereever possible. Arsenic can be absorbed via ingestion, inhalation, or via the skin.

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

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=305&ld=21
• https://museum.wales/mineralogy-of-wales/database/?mineral=41&name=Arsenopyrite
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenopyrite
• https://geology.com/minerals/arsenopyrite.shtml
• http://webmineral.com/data/Arsenopyrite.shtml