78 - Realgar

Hello friends, Welcome to the Mineral Repository at the Department of Geology, Shivaji Science College, Nagpur.

 I am Realgar. I am an arsenic sulphide mineral. I typically appear as transparent to translucent, red orange crystals or granular masses. I have resinous to adamantine lustre. I am very soft mineral. My crystals often form prismatic or tabular shapes. I have perfect cleavage in one direction, which can aid in identification. I am commonly found in hydrothermal veins associated with hot springs and volcanic activity. I am used as a pigment in paints, dyes and fireworks due to vivid red colour. I am also an ore of Arsenic. I am also used in jewellery and ornamental pieces. In India I am deposited in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand , Bihar , Chattisgarh, Assam, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh. Thank you for visiting.