Orpiment on Barite

specimen number:
2063066

location:
El'brusskiy mine, Karachayevsk, Karachay-Cherkessia, Russia

description:
An attractive specimen showing lustrous prismatic thin crystals of orpiment to 0.4 cm in size across the top of a crystalline white barite matrix. Typical of these some damage is present as seen. Great color combination.

Located in the Caucasus region of Russia, the Elbrusskiy mine is historically known for hydrothermal polymetallic mineralization hosted within complex mountain geology containing fault systems and ancient rocks. Historically exploited for industrial metals and famous among mineral collectors for yielding classic specimens of bright orange orpiment specimens along with lead and zinc ores, the operations eventually ceased, leaving behind an abandoned site that remains notable for its legacy mineral specimens.

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