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Cinnabar (mercury sulphide - HgS) is the single most toxic mineral to handle on earth. It is the worldâs main source of mercury and has been mined since Neolithic times. However, when oxidized, this element will produce methyl mercury and dimethyl mercury, two toxic compounds that cause irreparable harm to the nervous systems of children. It is deadly in small concentrations and can be absorbed through the respiratory tract, intestines, or skin.
Gangue minerals associated with cinnabar include quartz, dolomite, calcite and barite. Small droplets of liquid mercury are sometimes present on or near cinnabar. The most striking property of cinnabar is its red color. Its bright color makes it easy to spot in the field and is a fascination for those who discover it.