Realgar Pigment, Size: 10 G Jar

SKU: NAP-450-2001
    Unit Price
    Quantity
    Subtotal
    US$ 29.53
    US$ 29.53
    US$ 29.351%
    2
    US$ 29.251%
    3
    Congratulations! You got a great price!
    Add to cart Added
    Checkout
    Options
    Color
    Red
    Processing time
    Usually ships the next business day.
    Pigment type
    Inorganic, Historical, Natural
    Description

    WARNING! CONTAINS ARSENIC. Please read the MSDS for cautionary statements.
    Realgar is a natural mineral of arsenic sulfide, usually described as orange red to orange yellow, and is designated as strong orange-yellow in Munsell notation 9.1YR 7.1/11.6. Realgar gets its name from the Arabic words for "powder of the mine" (rahj al ghar). We obtain realgar from deposits in the Hunan province of China, which has an orange color with a scintillating quality of the coarse ground pigment.

    Pigment Names
    Common Names: English: realgar
    French: réalgar
    German: Rauschgelb, Schwefelarsenik
    Italian: realgar
    Spanish: rejalgar
    Synonyms: English: eolite, realgarite, red arsenic, red orpiment, rejalgar, risagallo, risigallo, risigallum, ruby sulfur, ruby sulphur, sandaracha
    French: arsenic rouge
    German: Realgarit
    Greek: Σανδαραχη
    Spanish: realgarita



    Origin and History
    Realgar is an historical pigment having been found as early as the fourteenth century B.C. as lumps of raw pigment in an Egyptian tomb.

    Source
    It is usually found in mineral deposits of calcite along with orpiment and sometimes with other sulfide minerals, such as cinnabar. Excellent specimens of realgar were discovered in cavities of dolomite in Binnentale, Switzerland, and in calcite voids in Mercur, Utah, U.S. We obtain realgar from deposits in the Hunan province of China where it is found in large druses (cavities in a mineral filled with protruding crystals) of beautifully formed crystals. It exhibits an intense orange red color with a scintillating quality of the coarse ground pigment.

    Permanence and Compatibility
    Early authorities usually described realgar as fading readily, or at least to some degree on exposure to light, and it appears to be less permanent than orpiment. It is said to be incompatible with lead- or copper-containing pigments. Several medieval painting guides do not recommend mixing sulfide pigments with lead white, minium (red lead oxide) or verdigris. It cannot be applied to wet plaster, and hence is not recommended in wet fresco painting techniques. Realgar is synthesized by heating orpiment to a temperature over 150°C or by sublimation of arsenic and sulfur. Although, the manmade mineral closely resembles the color and composition of realgar, it appears to be more susceptible to color change when exposed to light than natural realgar. It can lose its red hue and deteriorate to orange-yellow pararealgar when exposed to light.

    Oil Absorption and Grinding
    No data has been published on the oil absorption properties of realgar. It is difficult to grind because of its micaceous structure. For this reason, it is often quite coarse. It has been suggested to add ground glass to the pigment to facilitate grinding and dispersion in linseed oil.

    Toxicity
    The toxicity of arsenic sulfide pigments has been known for years. Extreme caution must be used when handling the dry pigment to avoid exposure to skin, ingesting it or inhaling the dust. Care must also be exercised while painting with it in any medium.


    Pigment: Realgar

    Pigment Information
    Color: Orange Red
    Colour Index: Not Listed
    Chemical Name: Arsenic Sulfide
    Chemical Formula: As4S4
    ASTM Lightfastness Rating
    Acrylic: Not Rated
    Oil: Not Rated
    Watercolor: Not Rated
    Properties
    Density: 3.5–3.6 g/cm3
    Hardness: 1.5–2.0
    Refractive Index: 2.538–2.704



    Shipping from
    This product is shipped from our supplier's warehouse in Willits, CA, United States
    Our guarantee
    This product is brand new and includes the manufacturer's warranty, so you can buy with confidence.
    A 25% handling charge is levied against all authorized returns except those due to our error. Unauthorized returns are subject to a 40% handling charge. Damages & defects must be reported to us within 14 days.
    LOADING ...
    Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought
    You recently viewed items