Orpiment with Realgar

specimen number:
2262142

location:
Getchell Mine, Humboldt Co., Nevada, USA

description:
An attractive mass of orpiment with minor red realgar. The specimen comes with a previous label from Ward's Natural Science Establishment.

The Getchell Mine, situated in the Potosi Mining District of Humboldt County, Nevada, is a major Carlin-type gold deposit known for its unusual and abundant arsenic mineralogy. Geologically, the mine is located along the Getchell Fault zone, where hydrothermal fluids permeated Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, primarily limestone and shale, depositing micron-sized gold and large quantities of arsenic sulfides. Massive orpiment is a defining feature of the site, occurring as large, vibrant lemon-yellow to orange-yellow crystalline masses and foliated plates within the fault breccias and carbonaceous ores. Historically, mining and quarrying at Getchell began in 1933 following the discovery of gold by Noble Getchell and Edward Knight, with the first processing mill starting operations in 1938. The mine has undergone several phases of activity, including significant production of tungsten during World War II and a transition to large-scale open-pit and underground gold mining that continued through the late 20th century. While operations were suspended at various points due to fluctuating metal prices, modern exploration and underground development have seen a resurgence in the 21st century.

Ward's Natural Science Establishment, located in Rochester, New York, is one of the oldest and most influential scientific supply houses in the United States. While not a primary mining site, the institution acted as a global clearinghouse for geological and biological specimens, operating out of several facilities including the famous Cosmos Hall. Geologically, Ward's was responsible for the systematic distribution of thousands of mineral species, fossils, and meteorites, often acquiring entire mine outputs to provide standardized reference sets for universities and museums worldwide. Historically, the establishment was founded in 1862 by Henry Augustus Ward, a professor at the University of Rochester, and it became a cornerstone of the American museum movement by providing the founding collections for many major institutions. During its peak years of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ward's maintained a vast network of field collectors and agents who secured specimens from every corner of the globe. Although the business underwent various corporate changes and moved its headquarters to the Rochester suburb of Henrietta in later years, it remained a dominant force in science education throughout the 20th century. Today, the legacy of Ward's Natural Science Establishment is preserved through its iconic labels and the countless historical specimens that still form the backbone of academic geological collections through 2026.

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