Mineralpedia Details for Scorodite

Name	Locality	Tag	Reset
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Named for the Greek scorodion, meaning “garlic,” in reference to the garlicky smell Scoodite produces when heated.  From hundreds of occurrences, usually in small amounts, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, England, Algeria, particularity large crystals from Namibia, Brazil, and Mexico, the USA, Japan, and Australia. Scorodite forms as a secondary mineral from the oxidation of arsenic-rich sulfides.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/scorodite.pdf

Formula

Fe³⁺AsO₄·2H₂O 

Crystal System

Orthorhombic 

Crystal Habit

Earthy, Granular, Fibrous 

Cleavage

Imperfect, Poor, Poor 

Luster

Vitreous - Greasy 

Color

yellowish green, pale leek green, liver brown, blue green, black green 

Streak

greenish white 

Class

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal 

Fracture

Splintery 

Hardness

3.5-4 

WebMineral

View Scorodite 

Mindat

View Scorodite 

This fantastic Scorodite specimen was illustrated in the Bou Azzer issue of the Mineralogical Record, Volume 38, number 5 on page 395. It is truly one of the more remarkable Scorodites around. The largest crystal measures 1cm. All of the crystals are very glassy and well formed and appear bluish green in natural sunlight and greenish under fluorescent lights. The digital camera captures a blue tone. It naturally sits well without aid and has no damage.

Bluish to green glassy crystals to 3mm.

Deep blue Scorodite crystals, less than 1cm.

Light blue prismatic crystals to 2mm lining vugs in a seam of Quartz. These crystals color change from a light blue under incandescent lighting to a more vivid greenish blue natural sun light.

Exceptional Scorodite cluster in matrix with a rich blue color, although that depends on the light source. Under the halogen lights used to take these photos the color is pretty close to that which you'll see in person under the sun. The crystals are to 1-2mm throughout the large 4cm vug.

A thumbnail size specimen with a large 4mm pseudo-octahedral crystal perched nicely at the center of the sulfide matrix. As is typical of Scorodite, it displays the alexandrite effect in which the color changes from purple to blue depending on the light source.

Scorodite is a relatively common mineral typically occuring in decayed Arsenopyrite in a variety of geological environment. Large, well-formed crystals of Scorodite are uncommon.

Bluish spheroidal crystal groups of good Scorodite to 0.3mm throughout gossan matrix.

Light glassy blue crystals in vugs.