Cinnabar (antique specimen) (classic locality)

Item Description

A wonderful antique specimen of Cinnabar from this renowned mercury-producing area. For reference the Almadén Mine specifically is mentioned on mindat.org as the largest mercury deposit in the world. The Almadén district is world-famous for producing some of the most iconic examples of Cinnabar ever found, and mining has taken place in this area for 2,000 years. Typically the crystals from this area measure in mm, but THIS piece is a very impressive composite group measuring 2.7 cm long, free of matrix. The piece has a deep metallic crimson hue on the surface with sparkling striated faces all along the prism. The piece is accompanied by an antique hand-written label, and the corresponding catalogue number 695 can be seen on the base of the specimen. A wonderful old-time piece of this classic material. Please see the recent fine Mineralogical Record Special Issue, January-February, 2019, Vol. 50, No. 1 about the Almadén mining district for more information about this historic locality