Arsenobismite discredited

Reinvestigation of arsenobismite, previously assumed to be a bismuth arsena te with the uncertain formula similar to Bi-2(AsO4)(OH)(3), has demonstrate d that it is not a Valid species. The formal discreditation of arsenobismit e has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names, I. M.A. Careful analysis of the type specimen has shown that "arsenobismite" i s in fact an intimate association of preisingerite, minor atelestite and mi nor beudantite/segnitite. Analyses of several other reported arsenobismites , including additional samples from the type locality, and samples from som e other world-wide occurrences showed that almost all of these are single-p hase beudantite/segnitite.