How do I identify Parascorodite?

Parascorodite can be identified by its hardness of 1 - 2 on the Mohs scale, White color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Parascorodite?

Parascorodite typically appears in White. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Parascorodite?

Parascorodite has a hardness of 1 - 2 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a soft mineral that can be scratched easily.

Parascorodite

A variety of Minerals

What is Parascorodite?

Parascorodite (FeAsO4·2H2O) is a rare, secondary iron-arsenate mineral. It was discovered in 1967 using X-ray powder diffraction methods, when an unknown substance was found along with scorodite on medieval ore dumps in the Czech Republic. The holotype of parascorodite can be found in the mineralogical collection of the National Museum, Prague, Czech Republic under acquisition number P1p25/98.

Parascorodite Market Value Calculator

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Parascorodite Localities Map

See where Parascorodite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

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North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Characteristics of Parascorodite

Parascorodite occurs in aggregates of somewhat hemispherical shapes. The aggregates grow to be about 2 cm across, consisting of extremely small crystals that can be arranged in fan-like or irregular masses. Parascorodite is cryptocrystalline, and has a luster that can vary from earthy to vitreous. It is a soft mineral, falling between 1-2 on the Mohs hardness scale. Aggregates can be white to yellowish, or more rarely green-grey in color, and have a yellow-white streak. The measured density of earthy aggregates in ethyl alcohol is 3.212 g/cm. The rare green-grey variety of parascorodite aggregates may exhibit conchoidal fracture. Individual crystal size varies between 0.1 μm and 0.5 μm, with some twinned crystals measuring 1.0 μm. Crystals occur as either prisms or thin flakes with a hexagonal outline. Parascorodite dissolves slowly in 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl). In water, it will disintegrate rapidly into a powder. Under hydrothermal conditions parascorodite can re-crystallize back to scorodite.

Formation of Parascorodite

Parascorodite occurs at the Kank mine in the Kutna Hora ore district in Central Bohemia, Czech Republic . It is one of the rarest secondary minerals. Parascorodite is found in medieval ore dumps, that were most likely used for silver and polymetallic ore waste. The dumps contain arsenic rich ore, which in medieval times was considered waste.

Composition of Parascorodite

The chemical composition of parascorodite was determined using qualitative spectral analysis. Two major elements were indicated: iron and arsenic. Quantitative analysis was also determined using two wet chemical analyses (results in the table below).