Hypercinnabar is a rare mercury sulfide polymorph that forms under specific low-temperature conditions. It is typically found alongside common cinnabar and requires professional analysis to distinguish from other mercury sulfides due to its similar appearance.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Adamantine

Streak

Scarlet

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareCinnabar family

Hypercinnabar

Hardness: 2
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: Scarlet
Transparency: Translucent

Is this hypercinnabar?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch hypercinnabar with a known reference. Hypercinnabar sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Hypercinnabar leaves a scarlet streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Hypercinnabar typically shows a adamantine luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: red, bright red, scarlet.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant crystals.

Often confused with

Hypercinnabar vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Metacinnabar is the harder of the two (Mohs 3 vs. 2); streak differs, so Hypercinnabar leaves scarlet, Metacinnabar leaves black; luster reads adamantine on Hypercinnabar and metallic on Metacinnabar.

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Often found alongside hypercinnabar

Minerals reported to co-occur with hypercinnabar. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Hg₃S₂
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 8.2 g/cm³
Colors: Red Bright Red Scarlet
Streak: Scarlet
Luster: Adamantine
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Equant Crystals
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Hydrothermal Mercury Deposits
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen quality

Where rockhounds find hypercinnabar

Classic worldwide localities

Idrija, Slovenia
Khaidarkan, Kyrgyzstan

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal mercury deposits country, the host setting where hypercinnabar typically forms. If you start seeing cinnabar, metacinnabar, sulfur in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify hypercinnabar?+

Mohs hardness is 2. It typically shows a adamantine luster. The streak is scarlet. Common colors include red, bright red, scarlet.

Where is hypercinnabar found?+

Notable localities include Idrija, Slovenia; Khaidarkan, Kyrgyzstan.

How much is hypercinnabar worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen quality. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

Is hypercinnabar safe to handle?+

It contains toxic constituents. Contains mercury; handle with extreme caution, avoid dust inhalation, and wash hands thoroughly after handling. Handle with care, avoid grinding or breathing dust, and store separately.

What rocks look like hypercinnabar?+

Hypercinnabar is most often confused with Cinnabar, Metacinnabar. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with hypercinnabar?+

Hypercinnabar commonly co-occurs with Cinnabar, Metacinnabar, Sulfur, Calcite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does hypercinnabar form in?+

Hypercinnabar typically forms in hydrothermal mercury deposits. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is hypercinnabar used for?+

Hypercinnabar is used in collector.

Find hypercinnabar on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.