Cinnabar vs Hematite

Property Cinnabar Hematite
Công thức HgS Fe2O3
Hệ tinh thể Trigonal Trigonal
Phân loại khoáng vật 02 Sulfides and Sulfosalts 04 Oxides and Hydroxides
Độ cứng Mohs 2.0-2.5 5.0-6.5
Màu sắc Scarlet red, brownish-red Steel-gray to black, red-brown
Ánh Adamantine Metallic
Màu vệt Scarlet Reddish-brown
Độ trong suốt Translucent Opaque
Cát khai Perfect prismatic {1010} None
Vết vỡ Conchoidal to uneven Conchoidal to uneven

Key Differences

  • Cinnabar (HgS) is a mercury sulfide; hematite (Fe2O3) is an iron oxide — entirely different chemical classes.
  • Cinnabar has a vivid scarlet streak; hematite has a reddish-brown streak.
  • Cinnabar (specific gravity 8.1–8.2) is much denser than hematite (5.0–5.3).
  • Cinnabar is the principal mercury ore; hematite is the principal iron ore.
  • Both historically yielded important pigments: cinnabar → vermilion red; hematite → ochre red.

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