Arsenolite
Encyclopedia
Arsenolite is an arsenic mineral, chemical formula As2O3
. It is formed as an oxidation product of arsenic sulfides. Commonly found as small octahedra it is white, but impurities of realgar
or orpiment
may give it a pink or yellow hue. It can be associated with its dimorph claudetite
(a monoclinic form of As2O3) as well as realgar
(As4S4), orpiment
(As2S3) and erythrite, Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O.
, Germany
.
It occurs by the oxidation of arsenic-bearing sulfides in hydrothermal veins
. It also occurs as a result of mine or coal seam fires.
Arsenic trioxide
Arsenic trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formula As2O3. This commercially important oxide of arsenic is the main precursor to other arsenic compounds, including organoarsenic compounds. Approximately 50,000 tonnes are produced annually...
. It is formed as an oxidation product of arsenic sulfides. Commonly found as small octahedra it is white, but impurities of realgar
Realgar
Realgar, α-As4S4, is an arsenic sulfide mineral, also known as "ruby sulphur" or "ruby of arsenic". It is a soft, sectile mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, or in granular, compact, or powdery form, often in association with the related mineral, orpiment . It is orange-red in colour, melts...
or orpiment
Orpiment
Orpiment, As2S3, is a common monoclinic arsenic sulfide mineral. It has a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and a specific gravity of 3.46. It melts at 300 °C to 325 °C...
may give it a pink or yellow hue. It can be associated with its dimorph claudetite
Claudetite
Claudetite is an arsenic mineral chemical formula As2O3.It is named for the french chemist, F. Claudet. Claudetite is formed as an oxidation product of arsenic sulfides and is colorless or white. It can be associated with arsenolite as well as realgar, orpiment and sulfur....
(a monoclinic form of As2O3) as well as realgar
Realgar
Realgar, α-As4S4, is an arsenic sulfide mineral, also known as "ruby sulphur" or "ruby of arsenic". It is a soft, sectile mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, or in granular, compact, or powdery form, often in association with the related mineral, orpiment . It is orange-red in colour, melts...
(As4S4), orpiment
Orpiment
Orpiment, As2S3, is a common monoclinic arsenic sulfide mineral. It has a Mohs hardness of 1.5 to 2 and a specific gravity of 3.46. It melts at 300 °C to 325 °C...
(As2S3) and erythrite, Co3(AsO4)2·8H2O.
Occurrence
It was first described in 1854 for an occurrence in the St Andreasberg District, Harz Mountains, Lower SaxonyLower Saxony
Lower Saxony is a German state situated in north-western Germany and is second in area and fourth in population among the sixteen states of Germany...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
It occurs by the oxidation of arsenic-bearing sulfides in hydrothermal veins
Vein (geology)
In geology, a vein is a distinct sheetlike body of crystallized minerals within a rock. Veins form when mineral constituents carried by an aqueous solution within the rock mass are deposited through precipitation...
. It also occurs as a result of mine or coal seam fires.