Scorodite | |
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Scorodite, Gold Hill, Utah
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General | |
Category | Arsenate minerals |
Formula (repeating unit) |
FeAsO4·2H2O |
Strunz classification | 8.CD.10 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Pcab |
Unit cell | a = 8.937 Å, b = 10.278 Å c = 9.996 Å; Z = 8 |
Identification | |
Color | Green, blue-green, grey, grayish-green, blue, yellow-brown, nearly colorless, violet |
Fracture | Sub-Conchoidal |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5-4 |
Luster | Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Resinous |
Streak | Greenish-White |
Diaphaneity | Translucent |
Density | measured: 3.27 g/cm3 calculated: 3.276 g/cm3 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Pleochroism | Weak |
2V angle | Measured: 40° to 75° Calculated: 46° to 80° |
Dispersion | relatively strong r > v |
References |
Scorodite is a common hydrated iron arsenate mineral, with the chemical formula FeAsO4·2H2O. It is found in hydrothermal deposits and as a secondary mineral in gossans worldwide. Scorodite weathers to limonite.
Scorodite was discovered in the Schwarzenberg, Saxony district, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany. Named from the Greek Scorodion, "garlicky". When heated it smells of garlic, which gives it the name.