REALGAR & ORPIMENT
Realgar and orpiment are both arsenic sulfides. Realgar is an intensely
reddish-orangish arsenic sulfide (AsS), while orpiment is a bright
yellow-colored arsenic sulfide (As2S3). They are always associated with each
other. Arsenic is a rare element in Earth's crust, but because As has
very few uses in modern society, it has practically no value. Orpiment
& realgar have a nonmetallic luster and are fairly soft (H=1 for yellow
orpiment & H=2 for reddish-orange realgar). The two minerals are
fairly insoluble, but they do volatilize readily. When heated, they
release a garlic smell (arsenic). Realgar tends to alter to orpiment when
exposed at Earth's surface.
Orpiment
mass (yellow) with a little realgar (red) (6.8 cm across) from near Manhattan,
Nevada, USA.
Realgar
crystals (reddish-orange) with a little pararealgar (AsS,
orangish-yellow) and a little orpiment
(yellow) (field of view ~2.6 cm across).