[Mirikon]

1. Nonmagic characters get no benefit from foci, at all. Unless an artifact comes along and says otherwise.

2. Orichalcum is a powerful reagent, so can be used to help make enchanted items more powerful. The Sixth World hasn't discovered other uses for it.

[All4BigGuns]

If you're rich enough you could have statuettes made of orichalcum spread around your home. Bit of a waste, but if you're that rich, you could probably make a mage really happy by making a gift of one to make into a focus.

[UmaroVI]

The oyabun might have been an adept or mystic adept without the Astral Perception power.

[TheNarrator]

Or he might not have intended to use it himself. He could have been buying it for someone else.

[Mirikon]

Or keeping it from someone else.