AllMineralsRock
Proustite
Proustite is a popular mineral composed of silver arsenic sulfide. [1]
Proustite: Quick Facts and Characteristics
Some quick facts for Proustite:- Transparency: Proustite can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Crystallography: In terms of crystallography, proustite can be hexagonal or trigonal.
- Luster: In terms of luster, proustite can be adamantine or submetallic.
- Streak: Proustite streaks bright red or red.
- Hardness: Proustite's hardness ranges from 2 to 2.5 on the Moh's scale.
- Specific Gravity: Proustite's specific gravity ranges from 5.51 to 5.64.
Proustite: Background and Summary
Proustite is a beautiful and rare mineral that is known for its vibrant red color and metallic luster. It is a silver sulfosalt mineral that is made up of silver, arsenic, and sulfur. Proustite is typically found in hydrothermal veins, often in association with other silver minerals such as pyrargyrite and acanthite.One of the easiest ways to identify proustite is by its color. It has a deep, rich red color that is quite distinctive. It also has a high specific gravity and is quite dense, which can help distinguish it from other minerals. Proustite has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3, so it is relatively soft and can be scratched easily with a knife.
Proustite has limited commercial uses, but it is highly valued by mineral collectors and lapidaries for its beauty. It is often used in jewelry and decorative objects, particularly in silverwork and as a gemstone. Proustite is also used in some scientific research as a source of silver and arsenic.
Proustite: Table of Properties
| Attribute | Proustite (src) |
|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | Ag3AsS3 |
| Chemical Composition | silver arsenic sulfide |
| Specific Gravity | 5.51, 5.64 |
| Hardness | 2, 2.5 |
| Streak | bright red, red |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal |
| Refractive Index | 2.792, 3.088 |
| Hydrous | No |
| Colors | common: red sometimes: scarlet less common: gray |
| Category | sulfosalt |
| Birefringence | δ = 0.295 - 0.296 |
| Fracture | 1: 1 |
Proustite: FAQ
Q: Is proustite dangerous?A: Proustite can be toxic due to its arsenic content, so it should be handled with care and not ingested or inhaled.
Q: Where is proustite found?
A: Proustite is found in hydrothermal veins in various parts of the world, including Germany, Mexico, Chile, and the United States.
Q: How rare is proustite?
A: Proustite is considered a rare mineral, and high-quality specimens can be quite valuable to collectors.
Sources
- Mindat.org. (n.d.). Proustite Mineral Data. Retrieved from https://www.mindat.org/min-3296.html- Webmineral.com. (n.d.). Proustite Mineral Data. Retrieved from http://webmineral.com/data/Proustite.shtml
- Proustite: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proustite
Previous Mineral: acanthite Next Mineral: cassiterite