FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Leon56]

Hallo!

Recently I bought mineral Orpiment Calcite - Quiruvilca mine in Peru. I bought it because it is so visually beautiful that it captivated me.

However, on closer analysis, what is it, I read that this is a nice combination of calcite over orpiment that is orange to golden. Orpiment and light damage, therefore, it degrades over time in the dust. It should therefore be mineral in the dark.

We can ask any of you experts what advice, what to do, how should I store this very rare minerall.

Leon56

[alfredo]

Orpiment is much less sensitive than realgar. Keep it dry, and away from hot bright lights, and it won't turn into dust during your lifetime.

[Leon56]

How long do you think Orpiment withstand before breaking into dust. Withstand at least 10 years or maybe more?

[alfredo]

Much much longer than that! It is not unstable in the same way that its cousin realgar is. Keep it away from humidity, and not in the sun or under constant bright lights. (But the same precautions should be used for many minerals, a long list, not just orpiment and realgar.)

[Jordi Fabre]

[chris]

Hi,

To complete what Alfredo said, I had (in the past) an orpiment specimen from Peru too. I kept it under daylight (but not sunlight) without protecting it from moisture. It took it about a decade to decay.

If you follow Alfredo's advices you should be able to keep it for much longer.

Christophe