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Formula: Ag3AsS3
Sulpharsenite, paramorph of
xanthoconite,
above 300oC forms a series with pyrargyrite
(AM 48.725-736)
Specific gravity: 5.5 to 5.7
Hardness: 2½；
Streak: Scarlet red
Colour: Red
Solubility: Slightly soluble in nitric acid
Common impurities: Sb
Environments:
Proustite is a late-forming mineral in hydrothermal deposits, in the oxidised and enriched zone, associated with other
silver minerals
and sulphides. Associated minerals include silver, arsenic,
xanthoconite, stephanite,
acanthite, tetrahedrite and
chlorargyrite
(HOM).
Localities
the type locality is Jáchymov, Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic.
At the Imiter mine, Imiter District, Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco, proustite is abundant as small crystals in
lead-rich quartz masses; less commonly it is found in black
shale, and very rarely in dolomite cavities.
Associated minerals include galena, quartz,
xanthoconite, polybasite -
pearceite, native silver and, less abundantly,
imiterite
(Minrec 42-2.127-128).
At Tamdrost, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco, proustite occurs in calcite veins
as crystals to 4 mm with löllingite and native silver
(Minrec 38.5.388).
At the Uchucchacua mine, Oyon Province, Lima, Peru, proustite crystals to 1 cm have been found on
pearceite crystals
(Minrec 42.2.156).
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