ARTHURITE

    Class : Phosphates, arsenates, vanadates
    Subclass : Hydrated Arsenates
    Crystal System : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : CuFe2(AsO4)2(OH)2 4H2O
    Rarity : Very rare

Arthurite is a mineral with a complex structure, classified in the arsenates but comprising groups (PO4) and (SO4) in addition to (AsO4). It is a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of copper deposits, usually formed by weathering of arsenopyrite or enargite. It was named in honor of the English mineralogist and collector Sir Edward Ian Montague Russel and the curator of the University of Oxford mineralogical collection Arthur William Gerald Kingsbury. Arthurite forms prismatic to acicular crystals not exceeding 4 mm, of a beautiful green color, frequently united in spherolites or in hemispherical aggregates with a fibroradiated texture.

Main photo : Arthurite from Majuba Hill Mine, Nevada, USA © Alex Earl

Arthurite from Majuba Hill Mine, Nevada, USA © Douglas Merson
Arthurite from the Clara Mine, Germany © Carsten Slotta
Arthurite from María Josefa Mine, Andalusia, Spain © Miguel Segura
Arthurite from Majuba Hill Mine, Nevada, USA © Storm Sears

Arthurite in the World

The most beautiful spherolites of arthurite all come from the mines of Majuba Hill (Nevada). However, this mineral is known from other sites, notably at the Clara mine (Germany), the María Josefa mine (Spain) and in several copper veins in Cornwall. Arthurite is also reported in a particular site for it : the phosphate pegmatite of Sabugal (Portugal). 


Arthurite in France

In France, arthurite is reported at the Vilatte-Haute quarry (Haute-Vienne) in a phosphate pegmatite as well as at Cap Garonne (Var).
 
Right photo : Arthurite from Cap Garonne, Var, France © Pierre Clolus

Twinning and special crystallizations

No twin known for this mineral species.

Fakes and treatments

No fake or treatment identified for this mineral species.


Hardness : 3 to 4
Density : 3.2
Fracture : Irregular
Trace : -


TP : Translucent to transparent
RI : 1.736 to 1.796
Birefringence : 0.060
Optical character : Biaxial (+/-)
Pleochroism : Weak
Fluorescence : None

Solubility : -

Magnetism : None
Radioactivity : None

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