Arsenolamprite is a rare polymorph of native arsenic characterized by its lamellar or foliated habit and distinct cleavage. It is typically found in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and is highly sought after by mineral collectors due to its scarcity and unique crystal structure.
Is this arsenolamprite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch arsenolamprite with a known reference. Arsenolamprite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic, brilliant.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular, massive.
Often confused with
Arsenolamprite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Arsenic is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2); streak differs, so Arsenolamprite leaves black, Arsenic leaves tin-white; luster reads metallic, brilliant on Arsenolamprite and nearly metallic on Arsenic.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Arsenolamprite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside arsenolamprite
Minerals reported to co-occur with arsenolamprite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- As
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 5.3-5.5 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic, brilliant
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular, massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect, in one direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- As plates and veinlets in carbonate rocks (Černý Důl mine, Czech Republic); in calcite veins (Mackenheim, Germany)
Where rockhounds find arsenolamprite
Classic worldwide localities
- Goldstrike mine, Lynn district, Eureka Co., Nevada, USA
- Palmbaum mine, Marienberg, Saxony (type locality), Germany
- Schweisweiler, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Mackenheim, Odenwald, and Wittichen, Black Forest, Germany
- Černý Důl mine, Krkonoše (Giant Mountains), and Jáchymov (Joachimsthal), Czech Republic
- Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, Haut-Rhin, France
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: As plates and veinlets in carbonate rocks (Černý Důl mine, Czech Republic); in calcite veins (Mackenheim, Germany). If you start seeing arsenic, bismuth, silver in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: acicular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify arsenolamprite?+
Where is arsenolamprite found?+
Is arsenolamprite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like arsenolamprite?+
What minerals are found with arsenolamprite?+
What kind of rock does arsenolamprite form in?+
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Find arsenolamprite on the map
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