Arsenic Composition, Crystallization, Structure and Occurrence

Composition. Arsenic, often with some antimony and traces of iron, silver, gold, bismuth, etc.

Crystallization. Hexagonal – rhombohedral. Crystals rare.

Structure. Usually granular massive, sometimes reniform and stalactitic.

Physical Properties. Perfect basal elevage. H. = 3.5. G. = 5.7 Metallic luster. Color tin-white on fresh fracture, tarnishes on exposure to dark gray. Gray streak.

Tests. Volatile without fusion. B.B. on charcoal gives white volatile coating of arsenious oxide and odor of garlic. In O.T. fives volatile crystalline deposit of arsenious oxide. In C. T. gives arsenic mirror.

Occurrence. A comparatively rare species found in veins in crystalline rocks associated with silver, cobalt or nickel ores. Found in the silver mines of Freiberg, etc., in Saxony, at Andreasberg kin the Harz Mts. In Bohemia, Rumania, Alsace, etc. Sparingly in the United States.

Name. the name arsenic is derived from a Greek word meaning masculine, a term first applied to the sulphide of arsenic on account o f its potent properties.

Use. Very minor ore of arsenic.