About Orpiment
Shop orpiment HERE
Keep reading to discover more about orpiment
- Mineralogy and geology*
- Metaphysical, Spiritual and Healing** Properties***
- Common Associations
Mineralogy and Geology of Orpiment
Mineral formula: As2S3
Crystal system: monoclinic
Crystal habit: Commonly in foliated columnar or fibrous aggregates, with cleavages as much as 60 cm across; may be reniform or botryoidal; also granular or powdery; rarely as prismatic crystals.
Cleavage: Perfect on {010}
Color: orange-yellow to lemon-yellow
Luster: pearly
Diaphaneity: transparent
Moh’s scale hardness: 1½ - 2
Streak: light lemon yellow
Specific gravity: 3.49
Named after: From Latin "aurum", gold, and "pigmentum", pigment, in allusion to its color.
Geological occurrence: In low-temperature hydrothermal veins, hot springs and fumaroles; also commonly as an alteration product of arsenic minerals, especially realgar.
Spiritual, Metaphysical and Healing Properties
Orpiment can be used to stimulate the intellect, and for cleansing and activating the solar plexus chakra. It assists with all forms of analysis, so is a good stone for students.
Common Associations
- Chakra – the solar plexus
- Numerology – vibrates to the number 2.
- Zodiac – Capricorn
- Birthstone – no association
- Wedding Anniversary – no association
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* Mineralogical information is from mindat.org
** Always consult with your medical professional for any physical or long-term healing issues.
*** Metaphysical properties come from:
Love Is in the Earth (1995) Melody, Earth-Love Publishing House, 726 pp.
The Crystal Bible, A Definitive Guide to Crystals (2003) Judy Hall, Walking Stick Press, 399 pp.
Crystal Muse (2017) Heather Askinosie and Timmi Jandro, Hay House, 285 pp.
Crystal Gridwork (2018) Kiera Fogg, Weiser Books, 128 pp.