Name 1
CINNABAR CRYSTAL
Name 2
/
ID number
002.19.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
324 M – 5, (samples from M – 5/1 to M – 5/3).
Type of Object
Ore deposit

Description

Short description
Tiny crystals of cinnabar and red moulds of superficial layers of cinnabar can be observed on the sample. The rock bed is Lower Scythian dolomite. Crystals of cinnabar are accompanied with: marcasite, pyrite, flint, calcite, dolomite, bitumen.
Measures
/
Materials
Dolomite, crystals of cinnabar.
Dating
/
Author / Producer
/
Picture attachments
Original use
In Idrija Mine, the crystals of cinnabar (HgS) mostly frequently occur in open fractures, major pores and geodes in dolomites and oolitic limestones and also in forms of crystal top layers on fault plates. The nicest ones are in dolomite pores and cavities. Crystals of cinnabar have a silver-red metallic to diamond shine. They are often nicely translucent, but rarely fully transparent. The best known are from the Grübler ore body. Detailed studies determined that they were formed at a temperature between 160 and 180°C. Crystals are most often only a few millimeters large and rarely exceed 1cm.
Present use
The crystal of cinnabar sample is being preserved, secured and presented as important natural heritage of Idrija ore deposit with exceptional universal values. It represents a unique soil “archive”, as the sample was excavated in Idrija ore deposit and also stored. It is a part of the thematic collection “Minerals of Idrija ore deposit” of the Mine Geological Collection, displayed in the CUDHg administrative premises, as a part of the Francis’ shaft.
Original location
Idrija ore deposit, Metacinnarite ore body
Present location
CUDHg (Mining Geological Collection), Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

STATE OF CONSERVATION

History of conservation:
The sample is appropriately preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.

DOCUMENTATION

Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- CUDHg Inventory Book;
- Čar, Jože. Rudniška geološka zbirka: Seznam in opis vzorcev. Mercury Mine Idrija, 2003, p. 1‒122, [material is kept in the CUDHg archive];
- Vidrih, Renato, Mikuž, Vasja, Peljhan, Martina, Klemenčič, Tomaž. Minerali idrijskega rudišča. Proteus, 57/7, 1995, p. 269‒276;
- Vidrih, Renato, Mikuž, Vasja. Minerali na Slovenskem. Ljubljana: Tehniška založba Slovenije, 1995;
- Rečnik, Aleksander. Minerali živosrebrovega rudišča. Ljubljana: Institut "Jožef Stefan"; [Salzhemmendorf]: Bode, 2012.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
28. 2. 2018
Date Edited
Never