Hypercinnabar
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Hypercinnabar
Formula:
HgS
Colour:
Black with purple cast
Lustre:
Adamantine
Hardness:
3
Specific Gravity:
7.43
Crystal System:
Hexagonal
Name:
In allusion to the fact that the stability field of the species extends to higher temperatures than that of cinnabar or metacinnabar.
Type Locality:
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.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1994
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1994:7
IMA Classification of Hypercinnabar
Approved
Approval year:
1978
First published:
1978
Classification of Hypercinnabar
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
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Hcin | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Pronunciation of Hypercinnabar
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Hypercinnabar
Adamantine
Colour:
Black with purple cast
Streak:
Dark black purple
Hardness:
3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
None Observed
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density:
7.43 g/cm3 (Measured) 7.54 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Comment:
Measured and calculated using synthetic material
Optical Data of Hypercinnabar
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 2.61 nε = 2.85
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.240
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
Very High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized uniaxial interference figure - the conoscopic
(convergent-light, Bertrand-lens-in) view, for a grain cut with the optic axis
centred and vertical. The coloured rings are isochromatics, computed with the
same physics as the Michel-Lévy bar above; the dark cross is the isogyre.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
For a genuinely uniaxial mineral viewed this way, that cross stays perfectly stationary if you rotate the stage - unlike a biaxial mineral, where it splits apart on rotation. That invariance is itself the standard diagnostic test for telling uniaxial and biaxial minerals apart at the microscope.
Anisotropism:
Distinct (in oil)
Bireflectance:
None
Colour in reflected light:
Greayish white (in air), brownish grey (in oil)
Chemistry of Hypercinnabar
Mindat Formula:
HgS
Elements listed:
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 V:
601.32 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
12
Comment:
Space group not determined.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 3.70 Å | (70) |
| 3.43 Å | (80) |
| 3.08 Å | (100) |
| 2.97 Å | (60) |
| 2.80 Å | (90) |
| 1.980 Å | (100) |
| 1.892 Å | (100) |
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Type Occurrence of Hypercinnabar
Synonyms of Hypercinnabar
Other Language Names for Hypercinnabar
German:Hypercinnabarit
Relationship of Hypercinnabar to other Species
Structurally related to group(s):
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 43 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Metacinnabar | HgS |
| 40 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 36 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Cinnabar | HgS |
| 4 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Copiapite | Fe2+Fe3+4(SO4)6(OH)2 · 20H2O |
| 2 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 2 photos of Hypercinnabar associated with Marcasite | FeS2 |
| 1 photo of Hypercinnabar associated with Baryte | BaSO4 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.CD. | Svetlanaite | SnSe |
| 2.CD.05 | Teallite | PbSnS2 |
| 2.CD.05 | Herzenbergite | SnS |
| 2.CD.10 va | 'Quiroguite' | Pb23Sb6S32 |
| 2.CD.10 | Clausthalite | PbSe |
| 2.CD.10 | Keilite | (Fe2+,Mg)S |
| 2.CD.10 | Alabandite | MnS |
| 2.CD.10 | Niningerite | MgS |
| 2.CD.10 | Galena | PbS |
| 2.CD.10 | Altaite | PbTe |
| 2.CD.10 | Oldhamite | CaS |
| 2.CD.15a | Cinnabar | HgS |
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.
Internet Links for Hypercinnabar
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1994.html
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Please feel free to link to this page.
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References for Hypercinnabar
Localities for Hypercinnabar
Showing 5 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Kyrgyzstan | |
| Kolesar et al. (1993) |
South Africa | |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
USA (TL) | |
| Potter et al. (1978) +1 other reference |
| Olds (2012) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
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Mount Diablo Mine, Mount Diablo, Clayton, Contra Costa County, California, USA