Name 1
CORAL ORE
Name 2
/
ID number
002.24.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Centre
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
653, RS28 (special closet in the geological collection)
Type of Object
Ore deposit
Description
Short description
The remains of brachiopod shells, of the genus Discina, in size up to 1cm, which lie in the flint-sand base, strongly prevail in the sample. Cinnabar occurs in the shells of Discina. Different sand grains are soaked with cinnabar and sometimes substitute the binder between sand grains. The sample is in irregular shape and is reddish black.
Measures
Length 17 cm, width 15 cm, height 6 cm.
Materials
Sandstone, fossils, cinnabar mineralisation.
Dating
Triassic - Ladinian, Longobardian
Author / Producer
/
Picture attachments
Original use
Mineralised flint sandstone with numerous brachiopod shells of the genus Discina is a typical sedimentary rock of the highest part of the wetland Skonca beds. The name coral ore was created based on the belief that the remains of brachiopod shells are remains of corals. The ore was already described by J.A. Scopoli (1761), and was later mentioned and described by all the subsequent research studies of the Idrija ore deposit. During the creation of sand level of flint sandstone, the water also deposited mineralised chalcedony grains and mineralised radiolaria. Different syngenetically mineralised coral ores were formed. In the last phase of hydrothermal operation, the sedimentary coral ore can was additionally soaked with cinnabar and native mercury. That way, a lot of cinnabar replaced brachiopod shells and many mould superficial layers were formed.
Present use
The coral ore 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. The coral ore also belongs among the unique sedimentary cinnabar ore. It is a part of the thematic collection “syngenetic ore” of the Mine Geological Collection, displayed in the administrative premises of CUDHg, as a part of the Francis’ shaft.
Original location
Idrija ore deposit
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];
- Čar, Jože. Razvoj srednjetriasnih sedimentov v idrijskem rudišču: doctoral thesis. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana, 1985;
- Čar, Jože. Ladinijske plasti skonca idrijskega rudišča (Z Slovenija). Geologija, 56/2, 2013, p. 151–174;
- Drovenik, Matija, Mlakar, Ivan. Strukturne in genetske posebnosti idrijskega rudišča. Geologija, 14, 1971, p. 67‒126.
- Čar, Jože. Rudniška geološka zbirka: Seznam in opis vzorcev. Mercury Mine Idrija, 2003, p. 1–122, [material is kept in the CUDHg archive];
- Čar, Jože. Razvoj srednjetriasnih sedimentov v idrijskem rudišču: doctoral thesis. Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering in Ljubljana, 1985;
- Čar, Jože. Ladinijske plasti skonca idrijskega rudišča (Z Slovenija). Geologija, 56/2, 2013, p. 151–174;
- Drovenik, Matija, Mlakar, Ivan. Strukturne in genetske posebnosti idrijskega rudišča. Geologija, 14, 1971, p. 67‒126.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
28. 2. 2018
Date Edited
Never