Cinnabar

HgS

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Cinnabar, the principal ore of mercury, is a mercury sulfide (HgS) and one of the densest non-metallic minerals, with a specific gravity between 8.10 and 8.20. It crystallizes in the trigonal system, forming rhombohedral, massive, or encrusting habits, and typically develops near volcanic hot springs and fumaroles. The mineral has an adamantine luster, a scarlet streak, perfect prismatic cleavage, and a low Mohs hardness of 2 to 2.5. Its striking scarlet color made cinnabar a prized pigment, known as vermilion, from antiquity onward, though its mercury content renders the raw material toxic to handle. Its high density and perfect prismatic cleavage aid identification where the scarlet color alone would be ambiguous.

Cinnabar is the principal ore of mercury and one of the densest non-metallic minerals. Its striking scarlet color has made it a prized pigment (vermilion) since antiquity. It typically forms near volcanic hot springs and fumaroles.

Système Cristallin Trigonal
Classe Minérale 02 Sulfides and Sulfosalts
Dureté Mohs 2.0-2.5
Densité 8.10-8.20
Couleur Scarlet red, brownish-red
Éclat Adamantine
Trait Scarlet
Clivage Perfect prismatic {1010}
Cassure Conchoidal to uneven
Transparence Translucent
Habitus Cristallin Rhombohedral, massive, encrusting

Dureté Mohs

Mohs Hardness: 2,0 – 2,5
1 Soft10 Hard
Cinnabar has a Mohs hardness of 2–2.5 on the 1–10 mineral hardness scale.
Dureté Mohs Reference Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
6 Orthoclase
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond

Système Cristallin

Trigonal
Cinnabar crystallizes in the Trigonal crystal system.
Propriété Value
Système Cristallin Trigonal (Rhombohedral)
Axial Relationships a = b = c, α = β = γ ≠ 90°

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardness of Cinnabar?
Cinnabar has a Mohs hardness of 2.0-2.5.
What crystal system does Cinnabar belong to?
Cinnabar crystallizes in the Trigonal crystal system.
What color is Cinnabar?
Cinnabar is typically Scarlet red, brownish-red.
What type of luster does Cinnabar have?
Cinnabar exhibits a Adamantine luster.
What is the chemical formula of Cinnabar?
The chemical formula of Cinnabar is HgS.