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Chemical Formula | As |
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Composition | Arsenic, mixed with slight amounts of antimony, nickel, silver, iron, and/or sulfur |
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Variable Formula | (As,Sb) ; (As,Sb,Ni,Ag,Fe,S) |
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Color | Tin-white. Oxidizes dark gray to black. |
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Streak | Black |
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Hardness | 3 - 4 |
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Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Hexagonal) Arsenic is mostly found mammilary, stalactitic, massive, radiating, and as crusts. Natural crystals are extremely rare. When they do occur, they are pseudocubic. |
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Transparency | Opaque |
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Specific Gravity | 5.6 - 5.7 (pure = 5.7) |
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Luster | Metallic |
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Cleavage | 1,1 - basal. Cleavage is rarely seen since crystals are rarely seen. |
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Fracture | Uneven |
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Tenacity | Brittle |
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Other ID Marks | 1) Gives off a garlic odor, especially when
struck or heated 2) Tarnishes dark gray |
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Other Names |  Native Arsenic |
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Varieties |  Scherbencobalt - Arsenic banded with white lines |
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Polymorphs | Arsenolamprite - Rare, orthorhombic form of arsenic |
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In Group | Native elements ; Semi-metallic elements |
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All About | Arsenic is usually fairly pure,
and almost always contains some antimony. Nickel, silver,
iron, and sulfur are also commonly found in a given
specimen. On a fresh or preserved surface, Arsenic has a
tin-white color, but otherwise tarnishes dark gray. Arsenic and Antimony are almost identical. In many instances, the only way to tell them apart is by conducting complex scientific tests. Stibarsen, a mixture of arsenic and antimony, is also indistinguishable through common methods. Arsenic is poisonous, and therefore one must wash hands after handling a specimen. Fumes are highly toxic, and should never be breathed. |
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Uses | Arsenic is an ore
of the element arsenic, although most arsenic comes from
arsenic compounds, which are much greater in abundance. Most
Native Arsenic specimens are sold to collectors rather
than to industry. Arsenic is largely used in the manufacturing of glass. It eliminates the initial green color in glass caused by iron impurities. It has been used in the past as a poison, and continues to be used as an insecticide. It has also been previously used for medicinal purposes. It is used electronically in the structure of lasers and semiconductors. It is also used as a coloring matter for paint and fireworks. |
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Striking Features | Tarnish, black streak, and odor |
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Complex Tests | Gives off a strong, garlic odor when struck
or heated. CAUTION: FUMES ARE POISONOUS ! |
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Popularity (1-4) | 2 |
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Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
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Demand (1-3) | 2 |
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Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
Antimony and Stibarsen are indistinguishable from Arsenic through common testing methods, and can only be distinguished with complex scientific tests. |
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Commonly Occurs With |
Antimony, Arsenopyrite, Tennantite |
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Noteworthy Localities |
Almost all collectable Arsenic specimens come from various mines in Europe. The best localities include Saxony, Germany, the Ste-Marie-aux-mines in Alsace, France, and Kongsberg, Norway. Many fine specimens were also found in England and Italy. Outside of Europe, it is found in Fakui Perfecture, Honshu, Japan, at Washington Camp, Santa Cruz Co., Arizona, and at Atlin, British Colombia. |
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