ORPIMENT SPECIMEN

 FROM THE GOLD BAR MINE USA

THIS SPECIMEN WAS MINED AT THE GOLD BAR MINE IN EUREKA COUNTRY USA. THE GOLD MINE IS NOW BUT IT PRODUCED SOME GREAT SPECIMENS.  ORPIMENT IS AN ORANGE TO YELLOW MINERAL THAT IS FOUND WORLDWIDE, AND OCCURS AS A SUBLIMATION PRODUCT IN VOLCANIC FUMAROLES, LOW TEMPERATURES HYDROTHERMAL VEINS, HOT SPRINGS AND AS A BYPRODUCT OF THE DECAY OF ANOTHER ARSENIC MINERAL, REALGAR.  IT WAS AN IMPORTANT ITEM OF TRADE IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND WAS USE AS A MEDICE IN CHINA ALTHOUGH IT IS HIGH TOXIC. IT WAS ALSO USED AS A FLY POISON AND TO POISON ARROWS. BECAUSE OF ITS STRIKING COLOR, IT WAS ALSO A FAVOURITE WITH ALCHEMISTS SEARCHING FOR A WAY TO MAKE GOLD, BOITH IN CHINA AND THE WEST.  ORPIMENT WAS GROUND, PROCESSED AND USED FOR CENTURIES AS A PIGMENT IN PAINTING, BEING ONE OF THE FEW CLEAR, BRIGHT YELLOW PIGMENTS AVAILABLE TO ARTISTS UP UNTIL THE 19^TH CENTURY.

SIZE : 30 X 22 X 18 MM APPROX