Arsenoclasite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Arsenoclasite
Formula:
Mn2+5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Colour:
Red, dark orange-brown.
Hardness:
5 - 6
Specific Gravity:
4.16
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
From the Greek αρσενικόν for "arsenic" and κλάσις for "cleavage," in allusion to its arsenic content and perfect cleavage.
Isostructural with its phosphate analogue gatehouseite.
Related to reppiaite.
May be confused with sarkinite. Arsenoclasite has a more distinct cleavage. Generally (not always) arsenoclasite has a more brownish tinge of red than sarkinite. It is redder than gatehouseite, which may overgrow it.
Related to reppiaite.
May be confused with sarkinite. Arsenoclasite has a more distinct cleavage. Generally (not always) arsenoclasite has a more brownish tinge of red than sarkinite. It is redder than gatehouseite, which may overgrow it.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
364
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:364:1
Similar Names
| Arsenocolusite | A synonym of Colusite |
IMA Classification of Arsenoclasite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Mn2+5(As5+O4)2(OH)4
First published:
1931
Classification of Arsenoclasite
8.BD.10
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
8 : PHOSPHATES, ARSENATES, VANADATES
B : Phosphates, etc., with additional anions, without H2O
D : With only medium-sized cations, (OH, etc.):RO4= 2:1
41.4.1.1
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
41 : ANHYDROUS PHOSPHATES, ETC.CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
4 : (AB)5(XO4)2Zq
20.8.3
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
20 : Arsenates (also arsenates with phosphate, but without other anions)
8 : Arsenates of Mn
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Asc | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Arsenoclasite
Transparency:
Translucent
Colour:
Red, dark orange-brown.
Hardness:
5 - 6 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Perfect
On {010}, perfect.
On {010}, perfect.
Density:
4.16 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.27 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Arsenoclasite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.787 nβ = 1.81 nγ = 1.816
2V:
Measured: 53° , Calculated: 52°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.029
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
extreme
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Y = a; Z = c.
Chemistry of Arsenoclasite
Mindat Formula:
Mn2+5(AsO4)2(OH)4
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Arsenoclasite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
222 - Disphenoidal
Space Group:
P212121
Cell Parameters:
a = 9.31 Å, b = 5.75 Å, c = 18.29 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.619 : 1 : 3.181
Unit Cell V:
979.11 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Massive, granular.
Crystal Structure
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0000259 | Arsenoclasite | Moore P B, Molin-Case J (1971) Crystal chemistry of the basic manganese arsenates: V. Mixed manganese coordination in the atomic arrangement of arsenoclasite American Mineralogist 56 1539-1552 |  | 1971 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 2.933 Å | (100) |
| 2.739 Å | (75) |
| 4.55 Å | (70) |
| 2.835 Å | (70) |
| 3.057 Å | (60) |
| 1.631 Å | (50) |
| 4.92 Å | (45) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Near-surface Processes | |
| 22 : Hydration and low-? subsurface aqueous alteration (see also #23) |
Type Occurrence of Arsenoclasite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Brownish to red massive fracture-fillings.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden; The Natural History Museum, London, England, 1931,59.
Chemical Analysis of Type Material:
| As2O3 | 36.96 % |
|---|---|
| MnO | 55.01 % |
| CaO | 0.57 % |
| MgO | 0.87 % |
| BaO | 0.11 % |
| H2O | 5.90 % |
| Total: | 99.42 % |
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In fissures in hausmannite-impregnated dolomite.
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Arsenoclasite
Other Language Names for Arsenoclasite
Dutch:Arsenoclasiet
French:Arsénoclasite
German:Arsenoclasit
Arsenoklasit
Arsenoklasit
Norwegian:Arsenoklasitt
Russian:Арсеноклазит
Spanish:Arsenoclasita
Arsenoklasita
Arsenoklasita
Swedish:Arsenoklasit
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 8.BD. | Antipovite | Cu5O2(PO4)2 |
| 8.BD.05 | Reichenbachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Cornwallite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.05 | Pseudomalachite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.10 | Gatehouseite | Mn2+5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.15 | Parwelite | Mn10Sb2As2Si2O24 |
| 8.BD.20 | Reppiaite | Mn2+5(VO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.25 | Ludjibaite | Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 |
| 8.BD.30 | Cornubite | Cu5(AsO4)2(OH)4 |
Other Information
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 Arsenoclasite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-364.html
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References for Arsenoclasite
Localities for Arsenoclasite
Showing 7 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- 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).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Pring et al. (1993) +1 other reference |
Italy | |
| P.M. Kartashov analytical data |
Romania | |
| Paulina HIRTOPANU & Gheorghe UDUBASA (2015) +2 other references |
Russia | |
| Kasatkin et al. (2014) |
| Yurgenson et al. (2011) |
Sweden (TL) | |
| Aminoff (1931) +1 other reference |
| Aminoff (1931) +1 other reference |
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Iron Monarch Main Pit, Iron Knob, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia, Australia