What is cinnabar and what properties does the stone have?

Cinnabar is a stone that attracts attention with its deep red color.
In ancient times it was called "dragon's blood." The mineral is mercury sulfide. However, the stone is not considered fatal to humans. But products made from it are not suitable for daily use.

What it is

Cinnabar is the most common mercury mineral and is a sulfide of mercury. In nature, the mineral appears as granular aggregates. The stone often contains impurities of other chemical elements: selenium, arsenic, antimony, copper.

The scarlet gem has been known to mankind since ancient times. In Ancient Greece, Egypt and Rome, it was used as a raw material for the production of red paint, which was used to decorate paintings, walls, and religious paraphernalia.

Bloody Jasper and Magic

Thanks to its unusual color interspersed with all shades of red, heliotrope is often called “blood jasper . The witcher's mark - that's how famous he acquired.

Sorcerers, alchemists, shamans, witches, and today psychics use blood jasper to enhance their paranormal abilities. It is believed that the stone, when performing a ritual, enhances the impact of all spoken words.

Religious figures of all times revered bloodstone and used it to make church accessories. The mineral is used to make frames, candlesticks, bowls, frame icons and decorate cassocks of clergy.

The magical properties of the stone allow an ordinary person to become purposeful and achieve their goals. Heliotrope increases self-esteem and pushes a person to self-development.

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Often these properties of heliotrope make the wearer a fanatic. A person forgets about family and friends, going straight towards his goal and losing everything that is most valuable along the way. Therefore, wearing a blood clog regularly is quite dangerous . It should be worn only occasionally for serious meetings or important interviews.

Physical properties

Cinnabar is a fragile stone characterized by a silvery tint. Its hardness is rated at only 2.5 on the Mohs scale. The density is 8 grams per 1 cm3. Characterized by perfect cleavage. The crystal can be either completely or partially transparent.

The mineral crystals are easily crushed into powder. It melts at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius. The size of natural cinnabar reaches several centimeters. If you heat the stone to 580 degrees, gray drops of mercury will be released.

Chemical composition

Cinnabar is mercury sulfide, which may also contain impurities in the form of other chemical elements. In air, the stone oxidizes, and a barely noticeable film of tarnish appears on its surface, having the formula HgO.

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Cinnabar does not react with nitric and sulfuric acid. Decomposes on contact with sodium or potassium sulfide solution.

Interesting! Due to its mercury content, it is not advisable to keep the stone in private collections. It is unacceptable to keep cinnabar near heating appliances, as well as in places accessible to children and pets. To store stones in a private collection, it is advisable to use sealed glass caps.

Care and storage

The semi-precious mineral needs to be discharged from negative energy and recharged with positive energy. After wearing, the jewelry should be rinsed under running cold water and placed in a place where the stone will be saturated with sunlight, but not heated.

If you have rock crystal, it is recommended to place heliotrope next to it . This proximity has a positive effect on the energy of the stone.

To wear jewelry for a long time, you must adhere to a number of rules for caring for it:

1. Protect from aggressive mechanical influence.
2. Do not expose to severe temperature changes.
3. Clean with warm soapy water.
4. Do not use chemical cleaning agents.
5. Wipe the mineral with blotting movements using a soft cloth.

Carefully! You should not wear jewelry while playing sports or performing household chores.

Careful care and proper storage will give the mineral additional energy, which will have a positive effect on its bearer.

Origin of the stone

The mineral deposits are formed in hydrothermal vents located in hydrothermal vents located near the surface. Nearby there may be deposits of quartz, calcite, barite, pyrite, and galena. Nuggets of pure mercury or gold are less common nearby.

Cinnabar particles may occur in veins near metamorphosed jasperoid rocks that are associated with recent volcanic eruptions or alkaline hot springs.

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Main deposits

In ancient times, the mercury mineral was mined in Central Asia and Rome. The largest deposits of stone today:

• Idrija (Slovenia);
• Almaden (Spain);
• California, Oregon (USA);
• Avala (Montenegro).

Almaden accounts for over 80% of the total stone production. In Asia, production has been established in such fields as Khaidarkan (Kyrgyzstan) and Dzhizhikrut (Tajikistan). In Russia, cinnabar is mined in Chukotka. The stone is also found in China, Austria, Mexico and other countries of the world.

Do you consider cinnabar stone dangerous because of its mercury content?

VeryNo

What medicinal properties does it have?

The healing properties of cinnabar have been appreciated since ancient times. The mineral powder was used to treat severe infectious diseases. However, due to the mercury content, the stone caused irreparable harm to health upon prolonged contact with the human body.

In modern lithotherapy, cinnabar is not used due to its mercury content. It is especially dangerous to apply heated stones to the body, since with an increase in the temperature affecting cinnabar, mercury vapor is released. Some lithotherapists still use the mineral in healing practices. Thus, contemplation of the stone promotes a surge of energy, increased libido and initiative.

Heliotrope - how to distinguish from a fake

The widespread distribution and inexhaustible reserves of the mineral in the earth's crust eliminate the need to counterfeit heliotropes. Occasionally you can find fakes made of cheap plastic, but even a non-specialist can easily distinguish a natural gem from an imitation:

1. The mineral takes a long time to heat up from the warmth of human hands.
2. Polished stone has a characteristic glassy sheen. The surface of the fake is devoid of glare and play of light.
3. Durability: accidental mechanical impact on the product will not leave marks on the surface of metal or stone.
4. Drawing. Natural stone has a pattern and color that may be similar, but not identical. Paired items or beads with the same pattern are a signal that this is a fake.

When purchasing heliotrope products, specialized stores are required to provide certificates and licenses for the goods upon the buyer’s request.

Magical Features

In ancient times, cinnabar was associated with drops of dragon blood. Therefore, the stone was endowed with special magical powers. For example, in Ancient Egypt in the 3rd millennium BC, the mineral was used in the manufacture of paint, which was then used in ritual ceremonies. Cinnabar was also used to make small vessels for drinks and potions. However, at that time humanity did not know about the danger of mercury stone.

Decorative items made from cinnabar were popular in China. Red decorative items were also used as talismans and amulets. Products from China were impressive in their variety of shapes and sizes.

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Taoist monks used tiny amounts of mineral powder in the preparation of longevity elixirs. But after taking this medicine, the person felt chills, dizziness and weakness. These symptoms were mistakenly taken to indicate the effectiveness of drugs that included cinnabar.

Today, a talisman made from the red mineral is recommended for businessmen, bankers, and financiers. The energy of cinnabar helps you focus on important matters and show wisdom and rationalism in controversial situations. The mineral also attracts wealth into the life of its owner.

Amulets made from mercury stone are put on for just a few minutes. Cinnabar products, when worn for a long time, negatively affect not only health, but also a person’s mood, causing aggression and irritability.

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Mineral in history

Cinnabar has been mentioned in various sources for ten thousand years.

Name

The term "cinnabar" is translated from Arabic as "dragon's blood." This combines the properties of the stone: scarlet color, metallic luster, danger to humans, and the ability to transform.

According to another legend, these mythical creatures fought for a treasure. The splattered drops of blood became cinnabar.

Application in the world

The bright red stone with a metallic tint became the raw material for humanity's first purple dyes. They were made by the Phoenicians, ancient Egyptians, residents of Ur of the Chaldeans, Babylon, Mesopotamia, and masters of the Ancient World.

But the paint, as it oxidizes over time, fades and darkens. Therefore, today the once scarlet fragments of rock or wall paintings and frescoes look faded.

In China, seven thousand years ago, leather for shoes was dyed with the mineral.

Alchemists bought (and still buy today) cinnabar as an ingredient in the Great Work, that is, obtaining the philosopher's stone.

Stone in Russia

In Russia, the properties of stone have been used for thousands of years:

• icon painters, starting with Andrei Rublev, used cinnabar paint to depict the blood of Christ;
• the pigment was used in writing: the “red line” in handwritten books, that is, the first letter of a section, was made of cinnabar.

The famous Russian brand golden-red Khokhloma even today cannot do without it.

Crystal cinnabar

Who is it suitable for?

Cinnabar is a stone, when choosing which you must take into account your zodiac affiliation, as well as the color type of your appearance.

By color type

The mineral has a rich red color and a subtle silvery sheen. Therefore, it is ideal for people with a bright appearance - dark hair, dark skin, blue, green or gray eyes.

However, it is not recommended to constantly wear cinnabar in the form of inserts into jewelry, since the stone in permanent contact with the body can cause serious harm to health.

Zodiac sign

Energetically, the “dragon” gem suits Taurus. Representatives of this zodiac sign prefer professions related to finance, planning and analysis. These are bankers, entrepreneurs, financiers. The energy of the stone will help you objectively assess the risks associated with your main activity and, based on this, make the right decisions. The aura of the stone also gives an incentive to improve oneself and grow in one’s career.

The mercury gem is absolutely not suitable for Scorpio. The strong energy of the stone contributes to the development of despotism, suspiciousness, vindictiveness and other negative qualities in representatives of this sign. In relation to other signs of the Zodiac, the stone is neutral.

Important! Only a natural gem is chosen as a talisman. A synthetic analogue can only be an attractive decoration, but not an energy assistant.

Zodiac signs

Cinnabar willingly helps all representatives of the astrological world, except Scorpios. This sign is contraindicated in any kind of communication with a red stone due to the lack of contact and understanding between them.

In a special way, the mineral relates to Taurus, whose natural energy is identical to the power of cinnabar. Taurus persistently moves towards the goal, paving the way with labor and effort, and the stone helps him in this. His favor is most noticeable when starting a business, as well as building a career as a banker or financier. Cinnabar gives strength for an optimistic attitude, as well as an adequate perception of failures and successes as a springboard for new achievements.

Cinnabar will give Aries good luck in professional affairs.

Aquarius and Capricorn will gain confidence in their abilities with the help of this stone. This will allow them to decide on an important step in life, which they have not dared to take for a long time.

Application

Today, cinnabar is used industrially. When heated, the stone releases mercury. Less commonly, the stone is used in ornamental art. Inserts are made from it, which are decorated with beautiful patterns. Stones with artistic carvings decorate boxes, jewelry, and medallions. However, it is not recommended to use such items constantly.

In stores you can find decorative items made from synthetic cinnabar. Such products are not harmful to health because they do not contain mercury. Inserts made of artificial gems can be found in inexpensive silver jewelry: earrings, bracelets, brooches.

Artificial cinnabar

Already in ancient times, people learned to produce artificial cinnabar by fusing mercury and sulfur.
This method was invented in China, and gradually it spread to all continents. Thus, artists in the 15th and 16th centuries more often used artificial cinnabar rather than real one. Today, cinnabar is produced using the dry and wet method.

For the dry method, mercury is mixed with sulfur and heated in a closed vessel. First, a black powder is formed, which is sublimated and condensed to produce red synthetic cinnabar. With the wet method, mercury and sulfur are ground with water, after which alkali is added. The resulting mixture is ground until it turns red. Any of these methods is permissible only in special laboratory conditions, so as not to get poisoned by mercury salts.

Cinnabar obtained using the dry method consists of larger particles that have a bluish tint.

Artificial cinnabar is initially brighter in color, but over time it becomes gray or black and loses its quality. Natural stone can be distinguished by its uneven and conchoidal surface at the fracture.

Main conclusions

1. Cinnabar is a mercury sulfide with a bright red color. It has a slight degree of toxicity and is therefore not suitable for daily wear by humans. The stone itself is fragile, and when heated it melts, turning into balls of mercury.
2. The largest deposits are located in Slovenia, the USA, Montenegro, as well as in Asian countries.
3. It has magical and healing properties. Zodiacally suitable for Taurus, but can harm Scorpios.
4. Used in industry, less often in crafts.