A mineral containing arsenic, iron, and sulfur that is often found in gold deposits and used as an ore of arsenic.
From arseno- (arsenic) + pyrite (iron sulfide mineral). Arseno- comes from Latin arsenicum, ultimately from Greek arsenikon. The term was coined in the 19th century to name this specific arsenic-bearing pyrite mineral.
Arsenopyrite is tricky—it looks like fool's gold and often contains real gold locked inside it, which is why prospectors get excited when they find it. Many major gold deposits around the world contain arsenopyrite, making it geologically valuable despite arsenic's toxic reputation.
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