Rare Red Crystals Spark Fascination in Polish Forest

Realgar discovery captivates internet users in the Bieszczady Mountains.

A recent discovery in the Baligród Forest District of Poland has captured the attention of nature enthusiasts online: striking red crystals of Realgar. Photos posted by foresters have garnered over a thousand reactions on social media.

Internet Reacts to Mineral Discovery

Enthusiastic responses have flooded the Forest District’s Facebook page. “Beautiful mineral. I haven’t seen him live,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I always said that the Bieszczady Potings are one of a kind.”

What is Realgar?

Realgar is a mineral composed of arsenic sulfide (AS₄S₄). It is easily identified by its intense carmine red color and glassy sheen. Its crystals, often fragile and plaque-like or prismatic, typically appear in hydrothermal veins or as a byproduct in sulfur sediments. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, arsenic is found naturally in over 300 minerals (USGS).

Cautionary Note

Due to its high arsenic content, Realgar is poisonous, so caution should be exercised when handling it. While Realgar was historically used in pyrotechnics, pigments, and even medicine, its present-day applications are largely confined to scientific study and mineral collecting.