Crystopedia
IMA mineral species Healing crystal ⚠ Handle With Care

Cinnabar

✦ The Merchant's Red ✦ ⚠ Handle With Care

☠️ Don't Wear / Don't Make Elixirs🪶 Soft, Scratches Easily

Crystal lore: 💰 Abundance🦋 Transformation

HgS

Mercury sulfide mineral.

RedBrownGray

Cinnabar specimen
Cinnabar.jpg · Wikimedia Commons (see file page for author & license)

Properties

⛏ Mohs hardness2 – 2.5
12345678910
💅🪙🍶🔪💎

Scratches with a fingernail.

⚖ Density8 – 8.2 g/cm³
Very heavy
🔷 Trigonal
Chemical formulaHgS
ElementsHg, S
Crystal systemTrigonal
Mohs hardness2 – 2.5
Density8 – 8.2 g/cm³
Streak—
Color—
IMA symbolCin
Nickel–Strunz class2.CD.15a

“—” means no reliable value in Wikidata yet. Check Mindat for full data.

Care & Handling

  • ☠️ Don't Wear / Don't Make Elixirs Mercury sulfide.
  • 🪶 Soft, Scratches Easily Mohs 2 – 2.5: softer than a steel knife, so it scratches easily. Store it apart from harder stones.

This stone is in the Handle With Care collection; see the safety section below.

⚠ Handle With Care High caution

☠ Toxic if ingested😷 Dust / fibre inhalation hazard🚫 Don't make water elixirs

Why: Mercury sulfide (HgS), the main ore of mercury. Heating it releases toxic mercury vapour. Its dust and powder (historically the pigment vermilion) are toxic if swallowed or inhaled.

Safe handling: Wash your hands after handling. Don't lick it, put it in your mouth, or make elixirs with it. Don't cut or grind it. Display it out of reach of children and pets. Never heat it, and only polish it wet with protection, if at all.

Sources: Wikipedia: Cinnabar · ATSDR ToxFAQs: Mercury · Mindat: Cinnabar. General safety information only, not medical advice. More on safe handling.

🌍 Where it's found

  • Type locality
  • Notable source / deposit
  • Country of origin

Marker positions are approximate (region or locality level). Type localities from Wikidata; notable sources curated by Crystopedia.

✨ Metaphysical & Folklore

💧 Elixir safety: This stone is hazardous: never use it for water or drinking elixirs.

These are traditional and folk beliefs from crystal lore. They are not scientific or medical claims – crystals are not a substitute for professional care.

Vermilion pigment of ancient China, cinnabar is tied to prosperity in lore; toxic (mercury), never use in elixirs.

Traditional uses
prosperity lore, transformation, vitality
Chakra
Root Sacral
Zodiac
♌Leo
Element
🔥Fire

💞 Pairs well with (traditional pairings)

AmberPaired in tradition for vitality, with Amber bringing warmth as well. CitrineBoth carry the theme of prosperity rituals, so together they're thought to reinforce it. RubyA natural partner for vitality; Ruby also adds passion. Tiger's EyeWorks the same Sacral & Root chakra, adding confidence. Clear QuartzLifts and clarifies cinnabar's grounding energy; clear quartz is said to amplify any stone.

Learn more