Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Kadamzhay, Osh Oblast, Kyrgyzstan
SIZE : 18.5 x 11.8 cm

This orpimant sample comes from the mineral deposit of Kadamzhay in Kyrgyzstan. It has orangeish yellow crystals with a resineous lustre fited together in small 2 cm diametre rosettes. The whole sample measures 18.5 x 11.8 cm.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Orpiment

HISTORY : Name derived from Latin "aurum" et "pigmentum" meaning "golden pigment", in reference to its colour

Species first described in 77 by Caius Plinius Secundus better known as Pliny the Elder (AD 23 – August 24, AD 79), an ancient author, naturalist and naval and military commander

Type-locality: undefined because species already known from the Ancients

CHEMICAL FORMULA : As2 S3
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Yellow, orange
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent
LUSTER : Resineous
STREAK : Pale yellowish
MORPHOLOGY : Fibrous aggregates, seldomly as prismatic crystals
HARDNESS : 1,5-2,0
DENSITY : 3,48

CHEMICAL CLASS : II - Sulfides, arsenides
GROUP : Orpiment
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 2/F.02-70
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 2.FA.25

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MNHN N°200.47

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