Orpiment and Barite
stock #8.AE-976
Elbrusskiy Arsenic Mine, Elbrus Mt
Kabardino-Balkaria,
Russia
9.4 x 6.8 x 3.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
Late Summer 2021
Rich color and sparkling luster from red-orange Orpiment crystals that form a mound on this cabinet sized specimen. There are several white to clear Barite crystals scattered on the Orpiments adding a nice contrast. These are mostly rather small but reach up to 1 CM. With magnification the Orpiment crystals are very gemmy sharp prisms but by naked eye it is just a glittering carpet of tiny red crystals. The specimen is sawn on the bottom from when it was removed from the host rock but that is not visible. As a result it sits well for display on its own. The outer edges of the Orpiment are a yellow to orange color and several radiating fans or bursts of the crystals form the outer edges of the more red core of this piece. This find was quite important and was made in 2002, The intense color of these Orpiment was unusually vivid and it seems these are color stable as well so they are still vibrant. Not often available now, this discovery seems to have been unique in its character.
Orpiment on Calcite
stock #AX-15-177-(C117)
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
11.5 x 9.9 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $850
Spring 2019
A very large specimen of fine Calcites richly coated with bright needle Orpiment crystals. Most of the Calcites are twinned and in fine condition, the matrix is a large shard of the same Calcite. A few areas of Realgar are noted too. With backlighting the some of the Calcites show bright red realgar inclusions. Ex Shields Flynn collection, these were a major find about 12 years ago, none since, and the mine is now inactive. A modern Chinese classic not often available in this size or quality. Esthetic.
Orpiment -gemmy crystals on Calcite
stock #6.2-532
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
5.6 x 3.7 x 3.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $875
Spring 2019
Brilliant luster on transparent crystals of Orpiment that are free standing on white Calcite. Top quality for the mineral and for this world class locale, this is damage free and far better in person. Some crystals have an internal chantoyant zone while other are simply transparent. No discoloration or crumbling, this is an older piece that has not been treated with acids or enhanced, it is from 2005 vintage mining. The Shimen mine has been closed for a while and no more specimens are coming. These have been considered to be the worlds best of the specie and are unique in the mineral world. This example is far beyond average, top quality with sharply terminated crystals just over 2 CM tall.
Orpiment on Calcite crystal
stock #18.1-743
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
3.1 x 2..1 x 1.9 CM (thumbnail)
price: $350
From the Chinese finds made more than 15 years ago at Shimen. This is a fine thumbnail sized Gemmy Calcite crystal coated on several sides with slender crystals of Orpiment in orange and yellow colors. These were big news when first discovered and the supply dried up very quickly. There were very few good thumbnails since most of the Calcites were much larger. In fine condition the specimen is better in person and now a modern classic. We obtained this piece in China at that time and sold it shortly after. Glad to see it back and have one to offer today.
Orpiment on Calcite
stock #4.2-311
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
6.4 x 5.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $230
Worldwide mix summer
Orange to yellow Orpiment crystals reaching 3.3 CM on a matrix of Calcite and Orpiment. Vintage 2004, from the once prolific finds at the Shimen mine, these have now disappeared from the market. This matrix has a crack that seems to be stable but is noted as these are very delicate specimens. The Orpiment crystals tend to be a darker red-orange close to the terminations, and are translucent in strong light. Now that the mine is closed these are recognized as modern classics.
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