THE MINERAL SCORODITE

  • Chemistry: FeAsO4 - 2H2O, Hydrated Iron Arsenate.
  • Class: Phosphate Class
  • Subclass: Arsenates
  • Group: Variscite
  • Uses: Only as mineral specimens
  • Specimens
Scorodite is an attractive and colorful mineral. It forms in the upper oxidation zones of arsenic rich ore bodies. The ore bodies in which scorodite is usually found contain the mineral arsenopyrite, FeAsS. Scorodite has also been found as a crust precipitated on the outer rims of hot springs.

Crystals of scorodite can form dipyramids that look like octahedrons. These pseudo-octahedral crystals will also resemble the much harder gem mineral zircon. The color of scorodite is variable but it is most known and revered for its bright green or blue colors that really establish scorodite as a wonderful display mineral.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Color is colorless, white, green, blue, yellow and brown.
  • Luster is vitreous to sub-adamantine or greasy.
  • Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
  • Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m
  • Crystal Habits include pseudo-octahedral crystals that are actually orthorhombic dipyramids. Also tabular crystals and fibrous and crusty coatings.
  • Cleavage is very poor in a few directions.
  • Fracture is conchoidal.
  • Hardness is 3.5 - 4.
  • Specific Gravity is approximately 3.1 - 3.3 (average for translucent minerals).
  • Streak is white.
  • Other Characteristics: Soluble in hydrochloric acid.
  • Associated Minerals are arsenopyrite, limonite, adamite, olivenite, arseniosiderite and other oxidation zone minerals.
  • Notable Occurrences include the famous mines at Mapimi, Mexico; also Lavrion, Greece; Ouro Preto, Minas Gerias, Brazil; Cornwall, England; Tsumeb, Namibia; Ontario; California, USA and Zacatecas, Mexico.
  • Best Field Indicators are color, luster, non-fluorescent, associations and crystal habits.
SCORODITE specimens:
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SCORODITE specimen scd-1
$ 30.00
Dims: 2.7 x 1.9 x 1.5" (6.9 x 4.8 x 3.8 cm)
Wt: 2.7 oz. (77 g)
Copper Stope, Majuba Hill Mine, Pershing County, Nevada, U.S.A.
Crusts of both crystalline and massive Scorodite rest on the rust-stained base of this small cabinet specimen. The crystals are so small that they cannot be effectively studied with a loupe, but they show a vitreous sparkle and a pale, olive-green color. The massive material also shows this color and a dull luster, but has a much deeper, more pure green coloration in one area.
no photo
scd-1 ($ 30.00)
Copper Stope, Majuba Hill Mine, Pershing County, Nevada, U.S.A.
SCORODITE specimen scd-2
$ 25.00
Dims: 1.9 x 1.1 x 1.0" (4.8 x 2.8 x 2.6 cm)
Wt: 1.3 oz. (36 g)
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Several small patches of tiny Scorodite crystals rest on the limonite base of this small hand specimen. These crystals are too small and intergrown to easily be studied individually, but appear to be in very good condition. Their color appears to be a dark, dull green, and their waxy to dull luster shows only slightly against the matte limonite. They certainly are not transparent or even translucent.
no photo
scd-2 ($ 25.00)
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
 

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