Formula: Zn3(AsO3)2
Normal arsenite
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 4.270 measured, 4.283 calculated
Hardness: 5 to 5½
Colour: Blue, light yellow green
Solubility: Dissolves in cold hydrochloric acid
Environments
Localities
At the type locality, the Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia, reinerite occurs extremely rarely in a
deep oxidation zone in the dolostone-hosted hydrothermal
lead-zinc-copper
ore deposit (HOM). Associated minerals include chalcocite,
bornite, smithsonite,
hydrozincite, hemimorphite,
willemite, adamite,
olivenite and gebhardite
(AM 62.1129-1134, HM). The reinerite has been found as rough crystals up to 4.7cm x 2cm
(AM 44.207-208)
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