Realgar

AsS

A striking orange-red mineral, often found as prismatic crystals or granular masses, exhibiting a resinous to greasy luster.

Realgar Physical Properties

Mohs Hardness

1.5

Crystal System

monoclinic

Luster

resinous

Streak Color

orange-red

Cleavage

good on {010}, distinct on {100}, poor on {110}

Fracture

conchoidal

Specific Gravity

3.56

Colors

orange-red, red, reddish-yellow

Transparency

translucent

Type Locality

Shimen Mine, Hunan Province, China

Mineral Group

Sulfides

Uses

pigment, collector

Associated Minerals

orpiment, arsenopyrite, galena, pyrite, cinnabar, calcite, barite

Rarity

uncommon

Geological Context

Realgar typically forms in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, hot spring deposits, and as a volcanic sublimate, often in association with other arsenic-bearing minerals.

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Related Specimens

Galena

Greenockite

Bloodstone

Andradite

Crocoite

Rose Quartz