Austinite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico

Austinite, not a very rare arsenic mineral but unusually found isolated crystal aggregate. Formation of austinite related to weathering processes of ore deposits, where As is widespread in several primary minerals (e.g. As-bearing pyrite, arsenopyrite and As-bearing sulfosalts). Known as supergene arsenate.

This was a lucky find from an old stock of austinites in 2020, and trimmed to a perfect toenail specimen. This photo is not ideally showing its lustrous and geometry, probably need to re-shot someday lol.

Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Mapimí Municipality, Durango, Mexico

3cm, Jingnan Zhang Coll & Photo