Orpiment Pigment - A Natural, Brilliant Yellow Arsenic Sulfide

Warning: contains arsenic. Please read the cautionary statements before handling. Orpiment is a natural, intensely bright pigment made from yellow arsenic sulfide, usually described as a lemon or canary yellow or sometimes as a golden or brownish yellow. Our orpiment pigment is sourced from natural mineral deposits near Kadamdzhay in Kyrgyzstan or Hubei Province, China. It has a crystalline structure, making it an ideal choice for art and painting.

Colour and Properties

Orpiment pigment has a Colour Index of Pigment Yellow 39 (77085, 77086) and a chemical formula of As2S3. It has a density of 3.49 g/cm3 and a hardness of 1.5-2.0 on the Mohs scale. The refractive index is nα = 2.400, nβ = 2.810, and nγ = 3.020.

Toxicity and Handling

The toxicity of arsenic sulfide pigments has been known for years. Extreme caution must be used when handling the dry orpiment pigment and in any soluble form to avoid inhaling the dust or ingesting it. Wear protective gear, including gloves and a face mask, when handling orpiment.

Artistic Uses

Orpiment pigment has been used in medieval painting guides, but it's essential to note that it should not be mixed with lead white, red lead, or verdigris. However, it can be mixed with indigo, red iron oxide, azurite, Prussian blue, green bice (artificial malachite), and bice (smalt).

Buy Online from Rublev Colours

Buy high-quality orpiment pigment online from Rublev Colours. Our orpiment pigment is sourced from natural mineral deposits, ensuring a brilliant, yellow colour. We offer the best quality pigment for art and painting, so buy online today!