(MGW) ORPIMENT SPECIMEN FROM RUSSIA 10 CTS FP 693

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About This Auction		About This Seller: mineralgemworld
Minimum Bid (USD)		Feedback Rating	99.83% Positive
Current Bid (USD)	0.00	Member Since	September 1, 2007 in Australia
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Bids Placed	0
Starting Bid (USD)	9.99
Reserve Price (USD)	none
Starts	November 19, 2008 6:55 AM
Ends	November 24, 2008 6:47 AM	Basic Shipping Information
Auction Category	Mineral Specimens	Shipping Cost	3.00 paid by buyer
Auction ID	10142	Shipping Insurance (optional)	7.00
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Description

ORPIMENT SPECIMENT FROM RUSSIA

As2S3

THIS LOVELY SPECIMEN WAS MINED AT THE ELBRUSSKIY MINE IN THE CAUSUS REGION OF RUSSIA. THIS AREA PRODUCERS GREAT ORANGE 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: 14 X 14 X 8 MM APPROX.

WEIGHT: 10 CTS APPROX.