RocksdayCinnabar vs Pyrargyrite
The quickest way to tell Cinnabar from Pyrargyrite: Cinnabar leaves a scarlet streak; Pyrargyrite leaves dark red.
Mercury sulfide and the main ore of mercury: bright scarlet, soft and very heavy. Toxic — handle with care.
Photo: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0
Dark ruby silver, the antimony partner of proustite. Deep red crystals that darken in the light.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Streak (rub on unglazed porcelain): Cinnabar leaves a scarlet streak; Pyrargyrite leaves dark red.
- Heft: Cinnabar feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 8.1–8.2 vs 5.8–5.9).
Key differences
- Cinnabar is brighter red, heavier still, and is not a silver mineral.
Side by side
| Property | Cinnabar | Pyrargyrite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineral |
| Mohs hardness | 2–2.5 | 2.5 |
| Luster | Adamantine to dull | Adamantine |
| Streak | Scarlet | Dark red |
| Colors | Red | Red, Black |
| Crystal system | Trigonal | Trigonal |
| Specific gravity | 8.1–8.2 | 5.8–5.9 |
| Formula | HgS | Ag₃SbS₃ |
| Found in | Almadén, Spain; Guizhou, China | Freiberg, Germany; Guanajuato, Mexico |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify cinnabar
- Bright scarlet red with a scarlet streak.
- Very heavy.
- Soft — a fingernail or coin scratches it.
- Often coats white quartz or dolomite.
Crystal system: Trigonal
Full Cinnabar guide →How to identify pyrargyrite
- Dark crimson to nearly black, with a brilliant luster.
- Dark red streak — darker than proustite's scarlet.
- Soft (2.5) and very heavy. Turns gray if left in strong light.
Crystal system: Trigonal
Full Pyrargyrite guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between cinnabar and pyrargyrite?
Cinnabar is a mineral (HgS) with a Mohs hardness of 2–2.5 and an adamantine to dull luster, usually red. Pyrargyrite is a mineral (Ag₃SbS₃) with a Mohs hardness of 2.5 and an adamantine luster, usually red or black.
How can you tell cinnabar from pyrargyrite?
Cinnabar leaves a scarlet streak; Pyrargyrite leaves dark red. Cinnabar feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 8.1–8.2 vs 5.8–5.9). Cinnabar is brighter red, heavier still, and is not a silver mineral.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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