Arsendescloizite - Encyclopedia
Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
Subclass : Anhydrous arsenates
Crystal System : Orthorhombic
Chemistry : PbZn(AsO4)(OH)
Rarity : Rare to very rare
Arsendescloizite is an arsenate of lead and zinc. It is a rare secondary mineral from the superficial oxidation zone of polymetallic hydrothermal deposits where it is associated in particular with willemite, goethite and mimetite. Its name comes from its chemical composition : arsenic plus descloizite. It forms small tabular crystals of 1 mm maximum, assembled in rosettes or nipples, pale yellow to pale green.
Main photo : Arsendescloizite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico © Rob Lavinsky
Arsendescoizite in the World
Photo : Arsendescloizite from Tsumeb Mine, Namibia © Paul de Bondt
Twinning and special crystallizations
No known twin for this mineral species
Fakes and treatments
No fake or treatments identified for this mineral species.
Hardness : 4
Density : 6.57
Fracture : Irregular
Trace : White
TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.990 to 2.035
Birefringence : 0.045
Optical character : Biaxial -
Pleochroism : Not visible
Fluorescence : None
Solubility : -
Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None