Mineralogical characteristics
Cinnabar is a mercury sulfide, the most important mercury ore. It generally forms massive or granular aggregates and rarely forms crystals. Its name comes from the Persian "zinjirfrah" and the Arabic "zinjafr", meaning "dragon’s blood". It appears in hydrothermal veins and near volcanic rocks. One of the oldest deposits is Almadén, in Ciudad Real, Spain, where it has been extracted for around 2,000 years. Cinnabar has been used as a pigment since Antiquity. Today it is no longer used as a pigment because of its toxicity.
Deposits
Spain, China, Peru, California and United States.
Therapeutic properties
Cinnabar is considered a stone of prosperity and abundance. It is often recommended for enhancing business and for professional and work advancement in a dignified way. It encourages mental fluidity and strengthens cohesion and resilience.