Cinnabar and cinnabarite, likely deriving from
the Ancient Greek: κιννάβαρι[6] (kinnabari), refer to
the common bright scarlet to brick-red form of mercury(II) sulfide, formula HgS,
that is the most common source ore for refining elemental
mercury, and
is the historic source for the brilliant red or scarlet pigment termed vermilion and
associated red mercury pigments.
Detailed description
Cinnabar generally occurs as a vein-filling mineral associated
with recent volcanic activity and
alkaline hot springs. The mineral
resembles quartz in symmetry
and in its exhibiting birefringence; cinnabar has a
mean refractive index of
~3.2, a hardness between 2 and 2.5, and a specific gravity of ~8.1. The
color and properties derive from a structure that is a rhombohedral
crystalline latticebelonging
to the hexagonal crystal
system, crystals that sometimes exhibit twinning.
Cinnabar has been used for its color since antiquity
in the Near East, including as
a rouge-type cosmetic, in
the New World since the Olmec culture, and in
China since as early as the Song dynasty, where it was used
in coloring lacquerware.
Associated modern precautions for use and handling
of cinnabar arise from the toxicity of the mercury component,
which was recognized as early as ancient Rome.
Mining and extraction of mercury
As the most common source of mercury in nature,[14] cinnabar has been mined for
thousands of years, even as far back as the Neolithic Age.[15] During
the Roman Empire it was mined
both as a pigment,[16][17] and for its
mercury content.
To produce liquid mercury (quicksilver), crushed
cinnabar ore is roasted in rotary furnaces. Pure mercury
separates from sulfur in this process and easily evaporates. A condensing column is
used to collect the liquid metal, which is most often shipped in iron flasks.
Toxicity
Associated modern precautions for use and handling
of cinnabar arise from the toxicity of the mercury component,
which was recognized as early as in ancient Rome.[18] Because of
its mercury content,
cinnabar can be toxic to human beings. Though people in ancient South America
often used cinnabar for art, or processed it into refined mercury (as a means
to gild silver and gold to objects) "the toxic properties of mercury were
well known. It was dangerous to those who mined and processed cinnabar, it
caused shaking, loss of sense, and death. Data suggest that mercury was retorted
from cinnabar and the workers were exposed to the toxic mercury fumes."[19][page needed] Overexposure to mercury, mercurialism, was seen as an occupational
disease to the ancient Romans, "Mining in the Spanish cinnabar mines
of Almadén, 225 km (140 mi) southwest
of Madrid, was regarded as being akin to a death sentence due to the shortened
life expectancy of the miners, who were slaves or convicts."[20]
Decorative use
Cinnabar has been used for its color since antiquity
in the Near East, including as
a rouge-type cosmetic,[18] in the New
World since the Olmec culture, and in China since as
early as the Song dynasty, where it was used
in coloring lacquerware.
Cinnabar's use as a color in the New World, since
the Olmec culture,[21] is exemplified
by its use in royal burial chambers during
the peak of Maya civilization, most dramatically
in the Tomb of the Red Queen in Palenque (600–700 AD),
where the remains of a noble woman and objects belonging to her in her
sarcophagus were completely covered with bright red powder made from cinnabar.[22]
The most popularly known use of cinnabar is in
Chinese carved lacquerware,
a technique that apparently originated in the Song dynasty.[23] The danger of
mercury poisoning may be reduced in ancient lacquerware by entraining the powdered pigment in lacquer,[24][page needed] but could still pose an environmental hazard if the pieces were accidentally destroyed. In the modern
jewelry industry, the toxic pigment is replaced by a resin-based polymer that
approximates the appearance of pigmented lacquer.
PRICE
$4,090/FLASK
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