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3.3" Orpiment With Realgar and Barite Crystals - Peru
This is a beautiful association of red realgar crystals, barite and rich orange orpiment crystals from Peru. It measures 3.3" long and would make an excellent addition to any mineral collection.
It comes with an acrylic display stand.
It comes with an acrylic display stand.
About Realgar
Realgar is an arsenic sulfide mineral with the chemical formula of AsS. Realgar is known for its lustrous red hue, and pristine specimens can be transparent with sharp crystals. The crystal structure is typically stubby and prismatic, though botryoidal and earthy clumps can form as well.
Following prolonged/repeated periods of time under light, realgar will alter to pararealgar. If further left exposed, the pararealgar will crumble to a yellow dust. This mineral instability is particularly troublesome for museums where consistent light exposure has caused specimens to crumble over time. However, short, periodic exposure to light shouldn't alter realgar specimens.
Realgar contains a significant amount of poisonous arsenic, making it somewhat toxic. Therefore, we recommend washing your hands following handling.
Realgar is an arsenic sulfide mineral with the chemical formula of AsS. Realgar is known for its lustrous red hue, and pristine specimens can be transparent with sharp crystals. The crystal structure is typically stubby and prismatic, though botryoidal and earthy clumps can form as well.
Following prolonged/repeated periods of time under light, realgar will alter to pararealgar. If further left exposed, the pararealgar will crumble to a yellow dust. This mineral instability is particularly troublesome for museums where consistent light exposure has caused specimens to crumble over time. However, short, periodic exposure to light shouldn't alter realgar specimens.
Realgar contains a significant amount of poisonous arsenic, making it somewhat toxic. Therefore, we recommend washing your hands following handling.
About Orpiment
Orpiment is a bright orange to yellow arsenic sulfide mineral. Its name is derived from the latin phrase auripigmentum, meaning “gold pigment”. It is frequently found as a decay byproduct and in association with another arsenic mineral, realgar. Orpiment crystals are commonly found in dense groupings containing small, prismatic crystals, often with chisel-shaped or triangular pyramidal terminations.
Orpiment contains a significant amount of the poisonous mineral arsenic. While it’s not going to pose a health hazard sitting on a shelf, it’s recommended that you wash your hands after handling it.
Orpiment is a bright orange to yellow arsenic sulfide mineral. Its name is derived from the latin phrase auripigmentum, meaning “gold pigment”. It is frequently found as a decay byproduct and in association with another arsenic mineral, realgar. Orpiment crystals are commonly found in dense groupings containing small, prismatic crystals, often with chisel-shaped or triangular pyramidal terminations.
Orpiment contains a significant amount of the poisonous mineral arsenic. While it’s not going to pose a health hazard sitting on a shelf, it’s recommended that you wash your hands after handling it.
About Barite (Baryte)
Barite is a barium sulfate mineral (BaSO₄) known for its high specific gravity, which makes it unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral. Typically forming in tabular or bladed crystals, barite can also appear in massive, fibrous, or nodular habits. Its colors range from colorless and white to shades of blue, yellow, gray, or brown, often influenced by trace impurities. Barite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and as a gangue mineral in lead-zinc ore deposits. It is widely used in industrial applications, especially as a weighting agent in drilling muds for oil and gas exploration. Its striking crystal formations and vivid hues also make it a popular mineral for collectors.
Barite is a barium sulfate mineral (BaSO₄) known for its high specific gravity, which makes it unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral. Typically forming in tabular or bladed crystals, barite can also appear in massive, fibrous, or nodular habits. Its colors range from colorless and white to shades of blue, yellow, gray, or brown, often influenced by trace impurities. Barite commonly forms in hydrothermal veins, sedimentary rocks, and as a gangue mineral in lead-zinc ore deposits. It is widely used in industrial applications, especially as a weighting agent in drilling muds for oil and gas exploration. Its striking crystal formations and vivid hues also make it a popular mineral for collectors.
SPECIES
Orpiment, Realgar & Barite
LOCATION
Quiruvilca District, Santiago de Chuco Province, Peru
SIZE
3.3 x 2.1"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#169080
