Cinnabar
Cinnabar
is a red crystalline form of mercuric sulphide. In its natural state,
it is a red crystalline solid. Sometimes, its red color is so bright
that it is not found in any mineral, plant and animal on earth. It
occurs in brilliant red or in red or brown amorphous masses.
The Chinese and the Arabian alchemists used to extract mercury from
it. Today, it is the only source of mercury and is found in rare
localities. Since of its red color, it was also used as a dye. The
word 'Cinnabar' has been taken from the Persian for 'dragon's blood.'
The cinnabar in the chicken blood stone is believed to be protecting
people from evil and to bring good luck and fortune. Psychologically,
it represents the hardened habits and terrestrial marriages of the
soul and spirit. Cinnabar is also a stone of repute in giving wearer
long life.
The hardness of cinnabar is 2 to 2.5 and is usually used for making
beautiful jewelry. It is found in the regions of Spain, Serbia, China,
and California and Arkansas in the US.
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