This Specimen has been sold.
5" Botryoidal Red-Orange Orpiment - Peru
This is a beautiful specimen of red-orange orpiment that formed in botryoidal masses, collected from Peru. The orpiment has a rich red and orange coloration and can be found on each side of the specimen. There are also thin barite crystals that look like white flakes on the underside of the specimen
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 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.
SPECIES
Orpiment & Barite
LOCATION
Quiruvilca District, Santiago de Chuco Province, Peru
SIZE
5 x 2.6"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#71639