2" Botryoidal Orpiment - Peru

This is a beautiful specimen of bright orange, botryoidal orpiment from Peru. The orpiment has a rich orange coloration, as well as a hidden cluster of partial realgar crystals on what could be considered the bottom of the specimen. It measures 2" long and would make an excellent addition to any mineral collection.

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.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Orpiment
LOCATION
Quiruvilca District, Santiago de Chuco Province, Peru
SIZE
2" long, 1.8" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#63796