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cinnabar
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- A heavy, reddish mineral form of mercury (II) sulfide, HgS, that is the principal ore of mercury. Cinnabar occurs in both crystallized and massive forms, has crystals that are hexagonal (six-sided) prisms, and varies from perfectly opaque to almost transparent. It is found in hydrothermal veins and volcanic deposits, notably in Spain, Italy, Peru, and California. Hardness 2–2.5, relative denisty 8.0–8.2. Hepatic cinnabar, so called from its liver-brown color, is a variety containing a little carbon. A black cubic form of mercury (II) sulfide, metacinnabar, also occurs.
- Red mercuric sulfide used as a pigment under the name vermillion.
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