Scorodite Locality: Hezhou Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Locality at mindat.org) Size: thumbnail, 1.6 x 1.1 x 0.9 cm Scorodite A perfect — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Scorodite
A pale-green hydrated iron arsenate — the common secondary mineral of arsenic-rich gossans, weathering to limonite.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Scorodite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the arsenate class, with the chemical formula Fe³⁺(AsO₄)·2H₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbca).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5–4; specific gravity 3.27; typically green or blue or brown or colorless; white streak; Vitreous to subadamantine, subresinous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Scd, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1818.
A secondary mineral produced through oxidation of As-bearing sulfides.
It is found associated with Pharmacosiderite, beudantite, carminite, dussertite, arseniosiderite, adamite, austinite, vivianite, iron oxides.
Its name comes from the Greek for garlic, in allusion to its odor when heated.
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