Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
realgar

Chemical Group:    sulfide

Chemical Formula:    AsS

Color:  aurora-red to orange yellow               Streak:  orange-red

Transparency:  transparent when fresh

Luster:  resinous to greasy

Hardness:  1.5 to 2          Specific Gravity:  3.56                  Fracture:

Cleavage: several directions

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Monoclinic system
      Realgar forms  short prismatic crystals.

Mineral Associations:  orpiment

Identifying Characteristics:

Uses:  arsenic ore

Occurrences: 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- very high        when inhaled- very high

Additional Information: Realgar disintegrates to a powder upon long exposure to light