Images
Formula: As2O3
Simple oxide of arsenic,
paramorph of claudetite
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 3.86 to 3.88 measured, 3.88 calculated
Hardness: 1½
Streak: White to pale yellowish white
Colour: White, bluish; reddish to yellowish if impure with realgar or orpiment; colourless in transmitted light
Solubility: Slightly soluble in hot water
Environments:
Hydrothermal environments
Coal-seam fires
Arsenolite is an oxidation product of other arsenic-bearing sulphides
in hydrothermal veins, and it
also may be formed in mine fires or in burning coal seams.
(Dana, HOM). Associated minerals include claudetite,
realgar,
orpiment and erythrite
(HOM).
Localities
At Rauenthal, Haute-Rhin, France, arsenolite forms as a direct oxidation product on
native arsenic
(Dana).
At Sorbier, Loire, France, arsenolite forms from burning coal dumps
(Dana).
At the type locality, St Andreasberg, Braunlage, Goslar District, Lower Saxony, Germany, arsenolite
occurs as an oxidation product of arsenic-bearing sulphides in hydrothermal
veins
(Mindat).
It is found as an alteration product of skutterudite and other
arsenides
(Dana).
At Johanngeorgenstadt, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony, Germany, arsenolite, an alteration product of
native arsenic as well as of other
arsenic-bearing ores, is a late-forming mineral in the veins. It forms
tiny star-shaped crystal aggregates and botryoidal crusts on native arsenic,
in many of the mines of the Johanngeorgenstadt District where
native arsenic occurs
(MinRec 55.5.588).
At the Lauta mine, near Marienberg, Saxony, Germany, arsenolite forms as an alteration product of
arsenic
(Dana).
At Bou Azzer, Morocco, arsenolite occurs in strongly weathered ores associated with
erythrite, and with
cobaltkoritnigite at Aghbar
(MinRec 38.5.360).
Arsenolite from Bou Azzer - Image
At Morococha, Peru, arsenolite is associated with realgar and
orpiment
(Dana).
At the exchequer and Monitor mines, Alpine county, California, USA, arsenolite formed as an alteration product
of enargite
(Dana).
At the White Caps mine, Nye county, Nevada, USA, arsenolite formed from the burning of the shaft
(Dana).
Arsenolite from the White Caps Mine -
Image
At the Ophir mine, Storey county, Nevada, USA, arsenolite forms as an alteration of
native arsenic
(Dana).
Back to Minerals