Source: United
States
Chemical: HgS
(Mercury Ore)
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Formation: Volcanic
craters and hydrothermal environments such as hot springs. It
can form in conjunction with dolomites as shown in the photograph
below.
Unusual Properties:
Although cinnabar is sometimes used as carved ornamental beads,
this is a dangerous mineral due to its high mercury content. In
fact, the method for extracting mercury from cinnabar is to heat
the mineral to a temperature of only about 400F and the crystallized
mercury will turn into a gaseous form. This gas is then put through
a process of condensation to produce a liquid state which produces
liquid mercury....used in thermometers for many decades.
Unfortunately, mercury poisoning has become
a serious problem to the environment. And use of this mineral
for anything other than scientific or collectors purposes should
be seriously considered for environmental reasons.
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