Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Azurite vs. Smithsonite
It's carbonate-vs-carbonate to kick off Mineral Cup 2026 with copper-rich Azurite against zinc-rich Smithsonite.
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Osarsite

A valid IMA mineral species
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
05381050017271925566852.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Zhelos intrusion, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
09084530017271925581114.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Levtyrinyvayam River placer, Gal'moenan ultrabasic massif, Korf, Olyutorsky district, Koryak Okrug, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
05381050017271925566852.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Zhelos intrusion, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
09084530017271925581114.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Levtyrinyvayam River placer, Gal'moenan ultrabasic massif, Korf, Olyutorsky district, Koryak Okrug, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
05381050017271925566852.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Zhelos intrusion, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
09084530017271925581114.jpg
Osarsite, etc.

Levtyrinyvayam River placer, Gal'moenan ultrabasic massif, Korf, Olyutorsky district, Koryak Okrug, Kamchatka Krai, Russia
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About OsarsiteHide

Formula:
(Os,Ru)AsS
Colour:
Gray
Lustre:
Metallic
Hardness:
6
Specific Gravity:
8.44 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The name reflects its composition: osmium, arsenic and sulfur. The related minerals ruarsite, irarsite, and platarsite are similarly named.
Arsenopyrite Group.


Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
3034
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3034:8

IMA Classification of OsarsiteHide

IMA status:
Approved
IMA Formula:
Os3+(AsS)3-
Approval year:
1971
First published:
1972
Approval history:
IMA1971-025
Type description reference:
Snetsinger, K. G. (1972) Osarsite, a new osmium-ruthenium sulfarsenide from California. American Mineralogist, 57 (7-8) 1029-1036

Classification of OsarsiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2026):
2.EB.20

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
E : Metal Sulfides, M: S <= 1:2
B : M:S = 1:2, with Fe, Co, Ni, PGE, etc.
Dana 8th ed.:
2.12.4.3

2 : SULFIDES
12 : AmBnXp, with (m+n):p = 1:2
Hey's CIM Ref.:
3.12.59

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
12 : Sulphides etc. of the platinum metals

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

SymbolSourceReference for Standard
OsaIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43

Physical Properties of OsarsiteHide

Lustre:
Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Gray
Comment:
In reflected light
Hardness:
6 on Mohs scale
Density:
8.44 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of OsarsiteHide

Anisotropism:
Weak but distinct in air.
Colour in reflected light:
gray

Chemistry of OsarsiteHide

Mindat Formula:
(Os,Ru)AsS
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Os64.004 %
As25.208 %
S10.788 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.
Elements listed:
As, Os, Ru, S - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ir,Pd,Pt,Rh,Ni,Fe,Co

Crystallography of OsarsiteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Cell Parameters:
a = 5.933(1) Å, b = 5.916(2) Å, c = 6.009(2) Å
β = 112.35(3)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.003 : 1 : 1.016
Unit Cell V:
195.07 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Comment:
Point Group: n.d.; Space Group: n.d.

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
3.79 Å(100)
2.74 Å(70)
2.78 Å(60)
2.01 Å(60)
1.892 Å(100)
1.870 Å(80)
1.832 Å(60

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Near-surface Processes
26 : Hadean detrital minerals
High-? alteration and/or metamorphism
33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12])
Stage 4b: Highly evolved igneous rocks>3.0
37 : Layered igneous intrusions and related PGE minerals

Type Occurrence of OsarsiteHide

Synonyms of OsarsiteHide

Other Language Names for OsarsiteHide

Dutch:Osarsiet
German:Osarsit
Spanish:Osarsita

Relationship of Osarsite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:
Arsenopyrite Group
Other Members of Arsenopyrite Group:
ArsenopyriteFeAsSMon. 2/m : P21/b
Glaucodot(Co0.50Fe0.50)AsSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
GudmunditeFeSbSMon. 2/m : P21/b
Ruarsite(Ru,Os)AsSMon.

Common AssociatesHide

Associations Based on Photo Data:
2 photos of Osarsite associated with Hollingworthite(Rh,Pt,Pd)AsS
2 photos of Osarsite associated with IsoferroplatinumPt3Fe
2 photos of Osarsite associated with Native Osmium(Os,Ir,Ru)
1 photo of Osarsite associated with Native Iridium(Ir,Os,Ru)
1 photo of Osarsite associated with TolovkiteIrSbS
1 photo of Osarsite associated with TroiliteFeS

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

2.EB.SelenolauriteRuSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.AndrieslombaarditeRhSbSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.Iridarsenite(Ir,Ru)As2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.Kanatzidisite(SbBiS3)2Te2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.05aVaesiteNiS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aHaueriteMnS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aLauriteRuS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGaotaiiteIr3Te8Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPenroseite(Ni,Co,Cu)Se2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aFukuchiliteCu3FeS8Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aVillamanínite(Cu,Ni,Co,Fe)S2Tric.
2.EB.05aErlichmaniteOsS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aSperrylitePtAs2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aGeversitePtSb2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aCattieriteCoS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aAurostibiteAuSb2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aTrogtaliteCoSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05a v'Cayeuxite'
2.EB.05aKruťaiteCuSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aPyriteFeS2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05aInsizwaitePtBi2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.05bBambollaiteCu(Se,Te)2Tet.
2.EB.05aDzharkeniteFeSe2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.10aMarcasiteFeS2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10eParacostibiteCoSbSOrth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10fOeniteCoSbAsOrth.
2.EB.10ePararammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pbca
2.EB.10aMattagamiteCoTe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFrohbergiteFeTe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10dCostibiteCoSbSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10bAlloclasiteCo1-xFexAsSMon. 2 : P21
2.EB.10cGlaucodot(Co0.50Fe0.50)AsSOrth. mm2 : Pmn21
2.EB.10aPetříčekiteCuSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aKulleruditeNiSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.10aFerroseliteFeSe2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15bSeinäjokiteFeSb2Orth.
2.EB.15aRammelsbergiteNiAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aClinosaffloriteCoAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/m
2.EB.15cPaxiteCuAs2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.15aNisbiteNiSb2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aLöllingiteFeAs2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aSafflorite(Co,Ni,Fe)As2Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm
2.EB.15aOmeiiteOsAs2Orth.
2.EB.15aAnduoiteRuAs2Orth.
2.EB.20ArsenopyriteFeAsSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.20Ruarsite(Ru,Os)AsSMon.
2.EB.20GudmunditeFeSbSMon. 2/m : P21/b
2.EB.25MayingiteIrBiTeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MaslovitePtBiTeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25ParagersdorffiteNi(As,S)2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25OrthogersdorffiteNiAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25SulfopadmaitePdBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25JolliffeiteNiAsSeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25CobaltiteCoAsSOrth. mm2 : Pca21
2.EB.25GuixiangiteNiBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25TestibiopalladitePdSbTeIso.
2.EB.25 va'Antimony-bearing Gersdorffite'Ni(As,Sb)S
2.EB.25KalungaitePdAsSeIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25Hollingworthite(Rh,Pt,Pd)AsSIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25MicheneritePdBiTeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25GersdorffiteNiAsSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25MilotaitePdSbSeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25TolovkiteIrSbSIso.
2.EB.25'Platarsite'Pt(As,S)2Iso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.25WillyamiteCoSbS
2.EB.25ChangchengiteIrBiSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25KvačekiteNiSbSeIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25KrutoviteNiAs2Iso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25PadmaitePdBiSeIso. 432
2.EB.25UllmanniteNiSbSIso. 23 : P213
2.EB.25Irarsite(Ir,Ru,Rh,Pt)AsSIso. m3(2/m3) : Pa3
2.EB.30UrvantsevitePd(Bi,Pb)2Tet. 4/mmm(4/m2/m2/m) : I4/mmm
2.EB.35RheniiteReS2Tric. 1 : P1

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Internet Links for OsarsiteHide

References for OsarsiteHide

Localities for OsarsiteHide

Showing 40 localities.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
Hide all sections | Show all sections

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed. - This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. - Good crystals or important locality for species. - World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Algeria
 
  • Tamanrasset Province (Tamanghasset Province)
    • Tazrouk District
      • Tazrouk
Augé et al. (2012)
Brazil
 
  • Minas Gerais
    • Fortaleza de Minas
Marchetto (1990)
Canada
 
  • British Columbia
    • Atlin Mining Division
      • Surprise Lake
Hora et al. (2011)
  • Ontario
    • Thunder Bay District
      • Seagull Lake Area
        • Seagull Lake complex
Wilson et al. (2013)
Chile
 
  • Araucanía
    • Cautín Province
González-Jiménez et al. (2016)
Galdames et al. (2010)
China
 
  • Tibet
    • Nagqu
      • Amdo Co. (Anduo Co.)
Anthony et al. (1990)
Finland
 
Törnroos et al. (1998)
    • Enontekiö
33rd International Geological Congress (2008)
    • Inari
Kojonen et al. (2014)
  • North Karelia
Hytönen (1999)
    • Polvijärvi
Econ Geol (1995)
Greece
 
  • Central Greece
    • Phthiotis
      • Domokos
Tsikouras et al. (2016)
  • Thessaly
    • Larissa
      • Farsala
        • Eretria
Tsikouras et al. (2016)
  • Western Macedonia
    • Grevena
      • Grevena
Auge (1985) +1 other reference
India
 
  • Karnataka
    • Davanagere District
      • Shimoga schist belt
Devaraju et al. (2005) +1 other reference
Japan
 
  • Hokkaidō Prefecture
    • Kamikawa Subprefecture
      • Uryu District
        • Uryugawa
SEM-EDS by Ming Ye
Kazakhstan
 
  • Aktobe Region
    • Kargaly District
      • Kempirsai Cr deposit
        • Main ore field
          • Dzharlybutak Ore Group
Saveliev et al. (2023)
Saveliev et al. (2023)
Norway
 
  • Trøndelag
    • Røros
Nilsson (1990)
Russia
 
  • Buryatia
    • Okinsky District
      • Ulan-Sar’dag Ophiolite
Airiyants et al. (2021)
    • Severo-Baykalsky District
      • Dovyren Highlands
        • Yoko-Dovyrensky Massif
Spiridonov et al. (2018)
  • Irkutsk Oblast
Kolotilina et al. (2019)
    • Uda–Biryusa district
Shvedov et al. (2017) +1 other reference
Podlipsky et al. (2015)
Kolotilina et al. (2019)
  • Kamchatka Krai
    • Koryak Okrug
      • Olyutorsky district
Sidorov et al. (2021)
        • Korf
Tolstykh et al. (2004) +2 other references
Tolstykh et al. (2004) +1 other reference
  • Krasnoyarsk Krai
    • Lysanskiy dunite-peridotite-gabbro complex
Barkov et al. (2023)
  • Sayan Mountains
Kiseleva et al. (2014)
  • Sverdlovsk Oblast
    • Kachkanar
Stepanov et al. (2019)
    • Nizhnyaya Tura
Stepanov et al. (2019)
Stepanov et al. (2020)
  • Tuva
    • Kaa-Khemsky District
      • Kaakhem ophiolite belt
Oidup et al. (2012)
South Africa
 
Cairncross et al. (1995)
Spain
 
  • Andalusia
    • Málaga
      • Ojén
Mineralogy and Petrology: 56: 25-50.
Gervilla et al. (2002)
USA
 
  • Alaska
    • Bethel Census Area
      • Goodnews Bay
Canadian Mineralogist 40:463-471
  • California
    • Humboldt County
      • Orick Mining District
        • Orick
          • Orick area
            • Gold Bluffs
Snetsinger (1972) +2 other references
Quick NavTopAbout OsarsiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography X-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatOther InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 1, 2026 07:18:25 Page updated: August 20, 2026 08:59:52
Go to top of page