CINNABAR with NATIVE MERCURY

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

Daimbacher Hof is the name given to a series of ancient mine dumps belonging to a group of former mercury mines, comprised of the 'Altes Werk', 'Neues Werk', 'Carl Theodor' and 'Elisabethgrube'. The locality is near Mörsfeld, about 13 km NW of Kirchheimbolanden in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany and relatively close and in the same region to Moschellandsberg. This group of mines can be traced back to to the early 12th century, and in terms of British history, around the time of Henry I (reigned 1100 - 1135). Although close to Moschellandsberg, the Cinnabar crystals on this small cabinet specimen have maintained their bright cherry red colour, because many specimens from Moschellandsberg are often tarnished by a black oxidation film. These crystals, measuring up to 2 mm, cover an approximately 4.5 x 2 cm area on a solid matrix largely coloured powdery carmine red by disseminated Cinnabar. Occasional globules of silver coloured Native Mercury can be seen lurking in crevices amongst the Cinnabar crystals. This old-time specimen is accompanies by a selection of beautiful old labels. For any specimens containing mercury and or mercury bearing minerals, it is a sensible precaution to always wash your hands after handling.