Pararsenolamprite is a rare polymorph of native arsenic often found in cobalt-nickel-silver hydrothermal veins. It typically displays a metallic luster and bladed habit, and it is distinguished from its more common cousin, arsenolamprite, by its specific crystal structure. Collectors should treat it with caution due to its arsenic content.
Is this pararsenolamprite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch pararsenolamprite with a known reference. Pararsenolamprite sits at Mohs 2-2.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: aggregates, bladed, radial.
Often confused with
Pararsenolamprite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Arsenic is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5 vs. 2-2.5); streak differs, so Pararsenolamprite leaves black, Arsenic leaves tin-white; luster reads metallic on Pararsenolamprite and nearly metallic on Arsenic.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Pararsenolamprite leaves black, Stibnite leaves lead-gray.
Often found alongside pararsenolamprite
Minerals reported to co-occur with pararsenolamprite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- As
- Mohs hardness
- 2-2.5
- Density
- 5.88 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Aggregates, bladed, radial
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In a hydrothermal Sb-As-Ag-Au-bearing quartz vein (Japan)
Where rockhounds find pararsenolamprite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mukuno mine, Yamaga-cho, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan (type locality)
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In a hydrothermal Sb-As-Ag-Au-bearing quartz vein (Japan). If you start seeing quartz, stibnite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: aggregates, bladed, radial. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify pararsenolamprite?+
Where is pararsenolamprite found?+
Is pararsenolamprite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like pararsenolamprite?+
What minerals are found with pararsenolamprite?+
What kind of rock does pararsenolamprite form in?+
What is pararsenolamprite used for?+
Find pararsenolamprite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
