Mineral Species: Arsenopyrite
Chemical Formula: FeAsS
Chemical Name: Iron Arsenide Sulfide
Mineral Class: Sulphide Subclass: Sulphosalt
Mineral Notes: Arsenopyrite, is a major ore of arsenic. It occurs in high-temperature veins with silver, copper and gold ores. It is also found in some pegmatites and contact metamorphic rocks. It is easily identified in the field by the fact that the mineral emits a distinct garlic smell after being fractured with a hammer. Sometimes, the mineral is found with a large amount of cobalt replacing some of the iron, in which case it is referred to as Danaite.
Description: A specimen of Arsenopyrite with extremely well-formed octahedral crystals. The colour is a mix of red and silver, some of the larger crystals having parallel face striations. In between several of the Arsenopyrite crystals are elongated pyramidal crystals of white, transparent Quartz. A very attractive display sepcimen.
Location: Parral, Chihuhua, Mexico.
