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Cinnabar generally occurs as a vein-filling mineral associated with volcanic activity and alkaline hot springs. The mineral resembles quartz in symmetry and it exhibits birefringence. Cinnabar has a mean refractive index near 3.2, a hardness between 2.0 and 2.5, and a specific gravity of approximately 8.1.
The term cinnabar is used in mineralogy and crystallography for the red crystalline form of mercury sulfide HgS. Thus, the natural mineral pigment is called "cinnabar", and its synthetic form is called "vermilion" from red lead .
The bright scarlet color, vermilion, was made by pulverizing the mineral cinnabar. A synthetic Vermilion was created in the 9th century with a compound of mercury and sulfur . century, with a mixture of the great majority of red pigments are made artificially, rather than taken from nature.
Cinnabar has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine as a sedative for more than 2000 years, and has been shown to have sedative and toxic effects in mice. [111] In addition to being used for insomnia, cinnabar is thought to be effective for cold sores, sore throat, and some skin infections. [112]
Differences in chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish the various species. Within a mineral species there may be variation in physical properties or minor amounts of impurities that are recognized by mineralogists or wider society as a mineral variety. Mineral variety names are listed after the valid minerals for each letter.
Aluminum pigments. Ultramarine (PB29): a synthetic or naturally occurring sulfur containing silicate mineral - Na 8–10 Al 6 Si 6 O 24 S 2–4 (generalized formula); Persian blue: made by grinding up the mineral Lapis lazuli.
Examples are cinnabar (HgS), an ore of mercury; sphalerite (ZnS), an ore of zinc; cassiterite (SnO 2), an ore of tin; and colemanite, an ore of boron. Gems are minerals with an ornamental value, and are distinguished from non-gems by their beauty, durability, and usually, rarity. There are about 20 mineral species that qualify as gem minerals ...
Cinnabar dots as seen on an ancient dzi. Some dzi beads exhibit what are referred to as "blood spots", which are tiny red dots in the white areas, indicative of iron content. This is a highly desirable characteristic among collectors, but relatively rare.