Information about Arthurite

Arthurite is a rare and attractive mineral, often forming in radiating fibrous aggregates, acicular crystals, or crusts on the surface of oxidised copper deposits.

Uses and History

Due to its rarity, Arthurite has no commercial or industrial use. It is primarily of interest to mineral collectors, especially those specialising in micromounts or phosphate minerals.

Arthurite may also be studied for its unique structure and chemical composition in academic and geological research, particularly concerning oxidised zones of ore deposits.

The type locality for Arthurite is the Hingston Down Consols, Gunnislake, Cornwall.

The mineral is named after two people – Sir Arthur Edward Ian Montagu Russell, and Mr Arthur William Gerald Kingsbury, both English mineralogists and collectors. Arthur Russell was the original discoverer of the mineral.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Toxic mineral, contains arsenic.

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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthurite
• https://www.mindat.org/min-376.html
• https://webmineral.com/data/Arthurite.shtml