Orpiment on Calcite
stock #4.2-311.1
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.
Orpiment and Calcite
stock #Alec-15-207
Shimen (Jiepiayu) Mine, Shimen County, Changde Prefecture
Hunan Province,
China
8 x 6.8 x 7.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
pre Tucson 2015 update
Sharp white Calcite scalenohedrons make a wonderful contrast to the orange red crystals of Orpiment. The Orpiment is sharp and well terminated with translucent to gemmy area. In excellent condition for such a delicate mineral, this displays well from all sides. These came on the market 8-9 years ago but have been getting scarce now, especially in this higher quality specimen. From the Shields Flynn/ Frances Trafford collection.
