NATIVE MERCURY
- Chemistry: Hg, Elemental Mercury
- Class: Elements
- Group:
Gold - Uses: Minor ore of mercury, electrical switches, thermometers
Specimens
The primary mercury ore is cinnabar, which when heated readily decomposes leaving behind pure, metallic mercury which sinks to the bottom of the vessel. Most mercury specimens are indeed cinnabar specimens that have been roasted to free a small part of the mercury which collects as tiny droplets in the pores and crevices of the rock.
Mercury readily alloys with a variety of metals, including gold and silver, from which common dental fillings are made. Common dental amalgam is an alloy of silver, tin, copper, and zinc. There is a controversy regarding the mercury in dental fillings: Does this source of mercury exposure constitute a hazard? Mercury is a heavy metal and consequently a neurotoxin. However, the mercury in amalgam fillings is tightly bound to the other metals, and likely exposure due to a mouth full of fillings is perhaps 1% of the recommended maximum exposure. Bound mercury (in an insoluble form) is not likely to pose a risk. In any case, it is always advisable to wash your hands after handling any potentially toxic materials, including mercury and its ores.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
- Color is bright silvery metallic.
- Luster is metallic.
- Transparency is opaque.
- Crystal System does not apply
- Crystal Habits spherical droplets, or pools of mercury liquid.
- Cleavage does not apply
- Fracture does not apply
- Streak does not apply
- Hardness does not apply
- Specific Gravity is 13.5+ (very dense)
- Associated Minerals are cinnabar, calomel, and other secondary mercury minerals.
- Other Characteristics: Mercury is a liquid! It also expands at a constant rate with a rise in temperature.
- Notable Occurrences include Almaden, Spain; Idrija, former Yugoslavia; Italy; California, Oregon, Texas, and Arkansas, USA.
- Best Field Indicators its a liquid!
 Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery MINERALS |
MERCURY specimen mer-1
$ 45.00
$ 45.00
Dims: 2" x 1-3/8" x 3/4"
Wt: 50.4 g. w/ box
Socrates Mine, Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
On an otherwise nondescript hunk of rock, these beautiful silvery droplets of native Mercury glisten! Each droplet is a tiny (1mm or smaller in diameter) sphere; there are hundreds of them!
mer-1 ($ 45.00)
Socrates Mine, Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-2
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.9" x 0.3" (3.0 x 2.3 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 3.0 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
This small thumbnail specimen consists of what appears to be a massive quartz host that is intermixed with cinnabar and an unknown substance that turns the matrix green. In a small hollow in this host rock rests a droplet of native Mercury. As is expected of this native element, it has a silvery color and a metallic luster, and no crystal form whatsoever. It is definitely a liquid, as I poked it with a needle to make sure. The Mercury globule does not exceed 2 mm in diameter; there are a few other globules visible on the specimen, but most are much smaller than 1 mm in diameter, and thus are rather difficult to see.
mer-2 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-3
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 1.2" x 0.5" x 0.5" (3.0 x 1.3 x 1.3 cm)
Wt: 2.2 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
This very small specimen consists of a few small globules of native Mercury that line some tiny cavities in a quartz-based host rock. The host rock has the deep red coloration that signifies inclusions of cinnabar, and parts of it are colored a pale green, though I do not know why. The Mercury has the standard silvery color, metallic luster, and liquid tendencies that one expects of this element.
mer-3 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-4
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.4" x 1.3" x 0.6" (3.6 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 16.8 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
Another thumbnail specimen, this piece consists of several small native Mercury globules that rest in tiny hollows in a vein of cinnabar. The cinnabar vein runs through a gray quartz host rock. There are several Mercury globules on the cinnabar, but none of these exceed 2 mm in diameter, and most are smaller than 1 mm. They have the silvery-white color, metallic luster, and liquid consistency that are the hallmarks of Mercury.
mer-4 ($ 30.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-5
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims: 1.5" x 1.3" x 0.7" (3.8 x 3.3 x 1.8 cm)
Wt: 22.7 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
I like this native Mercury specimen because there is a substantial amount of the liquid metal in a single deep crevice in the quartz host rock. The surface around the crevice is coated with a thin layer of cinnabar, which is a rather common occurrence. The Mercury has a silvery-white color, a metallic luster, and is, of course, in a liquid form and is completely amorphous. The surrounding quartz host rock is in the form of an agate, and there are a few crevices extending into it that show a definite botryoidal form.
mer-5 ($ 50.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-6
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Dims: 1.1" x 1.1" x 0.6" (2.8 x 2.8 x 1.5 cm)
Wt: 10.4 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
This small thumbnail specimen consists of a gray agate host rock on which rest dozens of tiny native Mercury globules. These globules do not exceed 1 mm in diameter, and are usually much smaller than that, approaching a microscopic size. They have the standard silvery-white color, metallic luster, and liquid properties that are expected of this element. The Mercury globules are scattered about on one face of the rock- the other faces look as if they had been exposed to weathering or air at an earlier time, which may have given any Mercury on them a chance to evaporate or be changed into the cinnabar that coats some of them.
mer-6 ($ 50.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-7
$ 60.00
$ 60.00
Dims: 2.7 x 2.3 x 1.6" (6.9 x 5.8 x 4.1 cm)
Wt: 3.54 oz. (100.3 g)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
Scores of small, rounded native Mercury droplets rest on the rough, dark brown host rock of this specimen. These droplets do not exceed 3 mm in diameter and are definitely in a liquid form. All have the silvery-gray color and bright metallic luster of Mercury. They rest among noticeable patches of massive red cinnabar that are embedded in the host rock. There are a few large cracks in the piece, so care is suggested when handling it.
mer-7 ($ 60.00)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-8
$ 35.00
$ 35.00
Dims: 2.7 x 1.4 x 1.4" (6.9 x 3.6 x 3.6 cm)
Wt: 2.25 oz. (64.0 g)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
This small hand specimen consists of a dark brown host rock on which rest many small droplets of Native Mercury. These droplets do not exceed 2 mm in diameter and show the classic silvery coloration and bright metallic luster of their species. Accompanying the Mercury droplets are a few very small patches of red, powdery cinnabar, the sulfide of mercury.
mer-8 ($ 35.00)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-9
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.5 x 1.3 x 1.0" (3.8 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm)
Wt: 1.00 oz. (28.5 g)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
Several tiny droplets of Native Mercury rest on the dark brown host rock of this piece. These droplets do not exceed 2 mm in diameter, and of course, are liquid and amorphous. They show the classic bright silvery-gray color and metallic luster of the metal, and rest among a few small patches of dull red cinnabar. The host rock appears to have been coated with a lacquer of some sort, likely to help hold the Mercury droplets in place.
mer-9 ($ 30.00)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-10
$ 90.00
$ 90.00
Dims: 2.8 x 2.5 x 1.0" (7.1 x 6.4 x 2.5 cm)
Wt: 3.36 oz. (95.4 g)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
Several dozen tiny Native Mercury globules rest on the dark brown base of this specimen. These Mercury globules do not exceed 2 mm in diameter and being a liquid, do not show any crystal form. All have the pale silvery-gray color and bright metallic luster of their species. The base rock on which they rest shows a few small patches of massive red cinnabar, and appears to be coated with a substantial layer of a lacquer to help hold the Mercury in place.
mer-10 ($ 90.00)
Sonoma County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-11
$ 40.00
$ 40.00
Dims: 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.9" (2.5 x 2.2 x 2.2 cm)
Wt: 20 g w/ specimen box
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
Several small native Mercury globules rest atop the dull brown base of this thumbnail specimen. These globules are quite tiny, measuring less than 2 mm in diameter and show the classic silvery-white color, metallic luster, and complete lack of form of this liquid metal. The globules rest amid a thin cinnabar crust. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.
mer-11 ($ 40.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-12
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 0.9 x 0.7 x 0.3" (2.2 x 1.7 x 0.8 cm)
Wt: 11 g w/ specimen box
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
This small thumbnail piece consists of a calcareous base on which rest several tiny native Mercury globules. These globules do not exceed 1 mm in diameter and show the lack of morphology, the silvery-white color and the metallic luster of the specie. The liquid is accompanied by patches of cinnabar. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box with a removable putty.
mer-12 ($ 30.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-13
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 1.7 x 1.5 x 0.8" (4.4 x 3.8 x 2.0 cm)
Wt: 0.9 oz. (25 g)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
Several small globules and one or two thin films of native Mercury rest on the quartz base of this small hand specimen. The globules do not exceed 1 mm in diameter and the films produce a faint metallic sheen over parts of the host rock. The Mercury has the classic silvery-white color, metallic luster, and liquid consistency of the element.
mer-13 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-14
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 0.7 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.8 x 1.2 x 1.0 cm)
Wt: 2 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
A chunk of quartz base rock holding several Mercury droplets makes up this small thumbnail. The Mercury has the classic liquid form, silver-white color and metallic luster, and rests along a crevice with a few tiny, thin cinnabar crusts. The piece is affixed inside a thumbnail box with a removable putty.
mer-14 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-15
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 0.7 x 0.3 x 0.2" (1.7 x 0.7 x 0.5 cm)
Wt: 1 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
This small thumbnail piece consists of a gray quartz or quartzite base rock on which rest many tiny Mercury droplets. These droplets show the standard silver-white color and metallic luster, and of course show no evidence of any crystal form. They are accompanied by a few tiny crusts of massive cinnabar, which has the standard deep red coloration and a dull luster. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.
mer-15 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-16x
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
Dims: 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.3 x 1.3 x 1.1 cm)
Wt: 2 g
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
A small amount of elemental Mercury rests on the gray siliceous base of this small thumbnail specimen. The Mercury has the classic silver-white color and metallic luster and is, of course, in liquid form. Accompanying it are a few tiny cinnabar crusts that show the standard deep red color and a dull luster. These are massive, so no crystal form is evident. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.
mer-16x ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, U.S.A.
MERCURY specimen mer-17
$ 30.00
$ 30.00
Dims: 1.4 x 1.3 x 0.9" ( 3.7 x 3.3 x 2.4 cm)
Wt: 1.0 oz. (28.4g)
Sonoma County, California, USA
The image of this specimen is somewhat misleading - only the dozen brightest spots are droplets of mercury. The specimen was "preserved" with a coating of lacquer, which reflects my lights quite well, obsuring the mercury. Still, it does have more than a dozen visible mercury drops, the largest of which is nearly a millimeter in diameter. There is also a tiny crust of red cinnabar visible.
mer-17 ($ 30.00)
Sonoma County, California, USA
MERCURY specimen mer-18
$ 100.00
$ 100.00
Dims: 2.7x1.8x1.5" (7.0x4.7x3.8 cm)
Wt: 6.50 oz. (184 g) w/container
Almaden, Spain
This is a hand specimen of mercury ore (cinnabar) that has been heat treated to "sweat out" thousands of droplets of liquid mercury. Three of the surfaces of the block of cinnabar are literally covered with mercury. All of the droplets are tiny (less than 1mm in diameter). They specimen has been sealed inside a display box as a safety precaution.
mer-18 ($100.00)
Almaden, Spain
MERCURY specimen mer-16
$ 25.00
$ 25.00
dims mm=13.07x10.61x7.39
wt g=1.6
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, USA
This thumbnail specimen consists of a small piece of quartz with crusts of red cinnabar which has reduced to pure elemental mercury in a few places, resulting in some metallic smears and a dozen tiny drops (the sparkles in the images) of mercury.
mer-16 ($ 25.00)
Clear Creek Mine, San Benito County, California, USA