Historical information

Arsenopyrite is one of the most common arsenic sulfide minerals, alongside orpiment and realgar. In its purest form, it becomes toxic as a result of a 46.0% arsenic makeup. Arsenopyrite occurs naturally in sulfide-bearing mineral deposits and is commonly found alongside gold deposits.
This specimen was discovered in Maldon, Victoria, in the Maldon gold field. This mine is an important gold producer which was first mined in 1857. Between this initial date and 1926, 58 tonnes of gold was produced. The town of Maldon was designated Australia's first notable town, and has maintained its 19th-century appearance since the says of the gold rush.

Significance

This mineral makes up a small part of the large amounts of minerals which has been excavated from the Maldon gold mines. The Maldon Goldfield alone has produced an excess of 1.7 million ounces of Australia's highest grade gold. This mineral represents not only the richness of the area, but also the significant impacts the gold rush had on the town.

Physical description

A solid iron arsenic sulfide mineral with shades of white, grey and black