Hypercinnabar
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Formula:
HgS
System:
Hexagonal
Hardness:
3
Name:
In allusion to the fact that the stability field of the species extends to higher temperatures than that of cinnabar or metacinnabar.
Polymorph of:
The high-temperature phase of mercury sulphide, HgS. It shows a slight deficiency in Hg [Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"].
Structurally related to the Wurtzite Group.
Intimately associated with metacinnabar, which it generally resembles.
Structurally related to the Wurtzite Group.
Intimately associated with metacinnabar, which it generally resembles.
Classification of Hypercinnabar
Approved
Approval Year:
1978
2/C.18-20
2.CD.15b
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
D : With Sn, Pb, Hg, etc.
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
D : With Sn, Pb, Hg, etc.
2.8.8.1
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
3.5.2
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
5 : Sulphides etc. of Hg and Tl
Physical Properties of Hypercinnabar
Hardness (Mohs):
3
Optical Data of Hypercinnabar
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 2.610 nε = 2.850
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.240
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
Very High
Chemical Properties of Hypercinnabar
Formula:
HgS
Elements listed in formula:
Crystallography of Hypercinnabar
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.01(3) Å, c = 14.13(7) Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 2.016
Unit Cell Volume:
V 601.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Comment:
Space group not determined.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.70 | (70) |
| 3.43 | (80) |
| 3.08 | (100) |
| 2.97 | (60) |
| 2.80 | (90) |
| 1.980 | (100) |
| 1.892 | (100) |
| ( |
Type Occurrence of Hypercinnabar
Relationship of Hypercinnabar to other Species
Structurally related to group(s):
| 2.CD.05 | Herzenbergite | (Sn,Pb)SnS2 |
| 2.CD.05 | Teallite | (Pb,Sn)SnS2 |
| 2.CD.10 | Alabandite | MnS |
| 2.CD.10 | Altaite | PbTe |
| 2.CD.10 | Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 2.CD.10 | Galena | PbS |
| 2.CD.10 | Niningerite | (Mg,Fe2+,Mn2+)S |
| 2.CD.10 | Oldhamite | (Ca,Mg)S |
| 2.CD.10 | Keilite | (Fe2+,Mg)S |
| 2.CD.15a | Cinnabar | HgS |
| 3.5.1 | Cinnabar | HgS |
| 3.5.3 | Metacinnabar | HgS |
| 3.5.4 | Imiterite | Ag2HgS2 |
| 3.5.5 | Tiemannite | HgSe |
| 3.5.6 | Balkanite | Cu9Ag5HgS8 |
| 3.5.7 | Danielsite | (Cu,Ag)14HgS8 |
| 3.5.8 | Coloradoite | HgTe |
| 3.5.9 | Gortdrumite | Cu18FeHg6S16 |
| 3.5.10 | Polhemusite | (Zn,Hg)S |
| 3.5.11 | Carlinite | Tl2S |
| 3.5.12 | Crookesite | Cu7(Tl, Ag)Se4 |
| 3.5.13 | Sabatierite | Cu6TlSe4 |
| 3.5.14 | Picotpaulite | TlFe2S3 |
| 3.5.15 | Raguinite | TlFeS2 |
| 3.5.16 | Thalcusite | Tl2Cu3FeS4 |
| 3.5.17 | Bukovite | Tl2(Cu,Fe)4Se4 |
| 3.5.18 | Gallite | CuGaS2 |
| 3.5.19 | Roquesite | CuInS2 |
| 3.5.20 | Indite | FeIn2S4 |
Other Names for Hypercinnabar
Name in Other Languages:
Other Information
Health Risks:
Contains mercury - always wash hands after handling. Avoid inhaling dust when breaking. Never lick or ingest. Do not heat in unventilated environment - emits toxic Hg fumes.
References for Hypercinnabar
Reference List:
Potter, R.W. and H.L. Barnes (1978): Phase relations in the binary Hg–S. Amer. Mineral., 63, 1143–1152.
Internet Links for Hypercinnabar
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1994.html
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Hypercinnabar
This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the 
symbol to view information about a locality.
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symbol to view information about a locality.
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(TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
Kyrgyzstan | |
| [Lapis 1993:11 p11-24] |
South Africa | |
| Minerals of South Africa |
USA (TL) | |
| [Am Min 63 (1978), 1143; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"] |
| Olds, T. (2012) Mercury minerals of the Huron River Uranium Prospect, Baraga County, Michigan. Rocks & Minerals, 87, #2, 134-139. |
| NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada |
Manhattan District, Toquima Range, Nye Co., Nevada, USA