Cinnabar
China
8.54 carats
© Rarestone.com
Cinnabar usually occurs as masses or crusts. Well-formed crystals are very rare. The material has cochineal-red colour with adamantine to metallic lustre.
Clear cinnabar crystals are faceted into spectacular stones. Massive material is used for cabochons.
Cinnabar Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Cinnabar Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Cinnabar gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:8.54 cts
Heaviest:40.45 cts
Average:29.81 cts
Total photos:3
Do you have a larger Cinnabar? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | |||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Cinnabar | |||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 2 to 2.5, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Specific Gravity | 8.0 to 8.2, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Fracture | Uneven,Splintery, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Heat Sensitivity | High sensitivity, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Optical Properties of Cinnabar | |||||||
| Refractive Index | 2.905 to 3.25, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/+, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Birefringence | 0.351, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Pleochroism | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Dispersion | Nil, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||
| Colour | |||||||
| Colour (General) | Red, pale-blue, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||
| Transparency | Translucent,Opaque, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||
| Lustre | Adamantine,Metallic, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Crystallography of Cinnabar | |||||||
| Crystal System | Trigonal, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Habit | Rhombohedral crystals. Masses and encrustations are more common, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||
| Geological Environment | |||||||
| Where found: | Occurs in low-temperature ore deposits and is also found in veins and around hot springs, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||
| Further Information | |||||||
| Mineral information: | Cinnabar information at mindat.org | ||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||
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