











Mineralpedia Details for Orpiment
Orpiment

Named for the Latin word auripigmentum, meaning “golden paint,” in reference to Orpiment’s golden-yellow color. Orpiment is somewhat common in small amounts, however excellent crystal specimens are rare and can be found in localities in the United States, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Iran, Turkey, Russia, Georgia, China, and Peru. It occurs “in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, hot springs, and fumaroles,” and is also commonly found as a product of the alteration of arsenic minerals, in particular, realgar.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/orpiment.pdf
- Formula
- As2S3
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Prismatic, Massive - Fibrous, Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Pearly
- Color
- lemon yellow, brownish yellow, orange yellow
- Streak
- pale yellow
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Sectile
- Hardness
- 1.5-2
- WebMineral
- View Orpiment
- Mindat
- View Orpiment
Orpiment from Getchell mine, Humboldt Co., Nevada, United States

Orpiment from Quiruvilca mine, Santiago de Chuco prov., La Libertad dept., Peru

Orange crystal aggregates to 1cm bladed, white to clear Barite crystals.
Orpiment from Twin Creeks mine, Humboldt Co., Nevada, United States

- Special Info
- Classic Locality
Cluster of saturated gemmy-orange Orpiment crystals to 1cm, with a beautiful adamantine luster and slight striations on a plastic stand.
These Orpiments from Twin Creeks are a staple for collectors of minerals from Nevada and the US desert southwest.
Orpiment from Allchar, Roszdan, Macedonia
Yellow to greay botryoidal Orpiment. Very nice and interesting specimen showing an unusual and uncommon habit for Orpiment.