cinnabar

α-HgS identification

Record the evidence and confidence supporting a cinnabar phase assignment.

1. Which diffraction or spectroscopic observations support α-HgS, and which reference was used? measurement
2. Does the evidence distinguish cinnabar from other HgS phases and mixtures? boundary

Cinnabar name resolution

Resolve what a label such as cinnabar or vermilion identifies in this record.

1. Does the name denote verified cinnabar, a pigment preparation, a colour or an untested seller claim? definition
2. Is this record about cinnabar itself or its occurrence within a separately modelled object? boundary

Assay interpretation

Capture phase fraction, elemental results and the assumptions connecting them.

1. What cinnabar mass fraction was measured, by which method and with what uncertainty? measurement
2. Was cinnabar abundance measured directly or inferred from mercury content, and what other mercury phases could affect that inference? boundary

Matrix and grade evidence

Tie grade claims to actual composition and the intended application.

1. Which gangue minerals, binders, coatings or contaminants accompany the cinnabar? measurement
2. Which documented composition limits define the claimed grade for the proposed use? action

Specimen form

Describe particle or crystal form and the reliability of supporting diagnostic tests.

1. Is the cinnabar present as crystals, massive material, a coating or powder, and what size range is observed? measurement
2. Which colour, density or hardness observations concern cinnabar itself rather than its matrix or coating? boundary

Change attribution

Record environmental history and tests needed to explain observed changes.

1. What discolouration, surface products or loss of cohesion has occurred, and under which documented conditions? provenance
2. What analysis distinguishes a surface coating, chemical alteration and a change of HgS phase? measurement
3. For any reported thermal constant, what event, atmosphere and pressure were actually measured? measurement

Origin evidence

Connect geological or production provenance to the particular material.

1. What evidence supports natural, synthetic or mixed origin? provenance
2. Which locality, collection or production records can be traced to this specimen or lot? provenance

Sample representativeness

Record where analysis occurred and whether treatment changed the examined surface or fraction.

1. Which grain, surface, depth or lot fraction was examined, and how representative is it? measurement
2. Has washing, grinding, heating, restoration or coating changed the material since collection or production? provenance

Applicable material records

Record authoritative identity and classification evidence without assuming universal applicability.

1. Which verified CAS, PubChem and EC records apply, and do they distinguish α-HgS from mercury sulfide generally? definition
2. Which current classification or supplier document applies to this composition, form and jurisdiction? provenance

Handling and disposition decision

Make action eligibility conditional on documented exposure pathways and applicable controls.

1. Does the proposed operation involve abrasion, airborne particles, heating or chemical treatment, and what exposure evidence addresses it? action
2. Which exposure limits or monitoring criteria apply to the mercury species and route involved, with what units and averaging period? measurement
3. What verified requirements govern containment, transfer or disposal of this particular specimen, powder or mixture? action

Check these first

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• This describes the mineral sense using recalled knowledge, without source consultation.
• Verify substance identifiers and current hazard classifications against the actual specimen or product; mineral cinnabar, synthetic HgS and pigment mixtures need not have identical records.
• Density and composition refer to relatively pure cinnabar; impurities affect bulk measurements, and thermal values require explicit atmosphere and phase-transition conditions.

1. Which of these check these first hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Identifiers and schemes

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• Chemical formula - HgS - The formula is shared by other mercury(II) sulfide polymorphs; cinnabar specifically has the trigonal structure.
• Polymorph designation - α-HgS - Distinguishes cinnabar from cubic β-HgS, the mineral metacinnabar.

1. Which of these identifiers and schemes hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Standards and regulation

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• The Minamata Convention on Mercury, administered through the United Nations Environment Programme, addresses mercury supply, primary mercury mining, trade, uses, emissions and wastes.

1. Which of these standards and regulation hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Real-world use

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• Ore for extracting mercury.
• Historical source of red pigment for painting, decoration and lacquerware.
• Mineral specimens for collections, teaching and geological research.
• Historically used in some traditional medicines and alchemical preparations.

1. Which of these real-world use hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Typical measurements

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• Ideal mercury mass fraction - 86.2 - %
• Mohs hardness - 2-2.5 - Mohs scale
• Density of relatively pure mineral - 8.0-8.2 - g/cm³

1. Which of these typical measurements hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Failure modes and hazards

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• Heating or roasting can release toxic mercury vapour; roasting in air also produces sulfur dioxide.
• Crushing, grinding or handling powdered material can generate mercury-containing dust.
• Low water solubility does not make cinnabar harmless; risk depends on exposure route, processing and associated mercury species.
• Mining and processing can contaminate soil, water and sediments with mercury.
• Cinnabar-based pigments can darken or otherwise alter under some light and chemical exposure conditions.

1. Which of these failure modes and hazards hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Regional variation

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• Mercury mining, mineral trade and mercury-containing waste requirements depend on jurisdiction and implementation of the Minamata Convention.
• Historical pigment and medicinal uses differ among cultural traditions; those uses do not establish present-day authorization or safety.

1. Which of these regional variation hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance

Neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart

Recalled without web access and unsourced; every item is a lead to verify.

• metacinnabar - The same chemical formula, HgS, but a cubic crystal structure and typically black appearance.
• vermilion - A red pigment name, commonly referring to prepared or synthetic red HgS; cinnabar denotes the naturally occurring mineral.
• mercury - The chemical element Hg; cinnabar is a crystalline compound of mercury and sulfur.
• mercury ore - Rock or material worked for its mercury content; it may contain cinnabar mixed with other minerals.

1. Which of these neighbouring kinds and how to tell them apart hold for the sense of cinnabar this model covers, and on what evidence? provenance