TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet


Cinabrio

Cinabrio is a mineral with formula HgS, in the Sulfuros group. This specimen comes from El Entredicho, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, España.

Cinabrio from El Entredicho, Almadén, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha, España — Terrium

Description

Thumbnail specimen covered in a druzy matrix of micro-cinnabar crystals, topped by a prominently sharp, well-formed major crystal.

About the locality

The Almadén mine represents the world's largest historical mercury-producing district. For over two millennia, it supplied mercury to Europe and, starting in the 16th century, was crucial to American silver mining through the amalgamation process. Today, it holds UNESCO World Heritage status alongside Idrija.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0689
Composition
HgS
Name
Cinabrio
Group
Sulfuros
Category
Meritum Persé
Matrix
Ferruginosa
Mine
El Entredicho
District / Municipality
Almadén
Province
Ciudad Real
Region
Castilla-La Mancha
Country
España
Size (cm)
3.2 x 1.5 x 1.5
Weight
10 g
Etymology
From the Arabic «zinjafr», itself derived from the Persian «zinjifrah», the historical origin of the name «cinnabar».
Quality
Notable
Value trend
Al alza

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