Cinnabar (doubly-terminated twin!) with Quartz

Tongren Mine, Tongren Co., Tongren Prefecture, Guizhou Province, China
Small Cabinet, 5.7 x 4.6 x 4.3 cm
Start Time: 06/14/2018 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
End Time: 06/21/2018 6:45:00 pm (CDT)
Auction Closed

Item Description

A really attractive display specimen of the classic twinned Cinnabars from the famous Tongren Mine. This piece is particularly interesting and attractive as it features the classic, very well-formed, fine red color, gemmy / translucent twinned crystals of Cinnabar, but the main group is actually DOUBLY-TERMINATED and measures a full 2.6 cm. I can't remember seeing many Cinnabars from this locality where both ends of the twins are visible, as you usually see the "drillbit" terminations standing up out of the matrix, but this group is lying on its side so you can see the full prism. There a few additional associated Cinnabars on the piece and for the most part, they are in great shape, though there is a bit of roughness in a few spots. Associated crystals of white prismatic Quartz with small drusy Quartz crystals make for a great accent. Overall it's a wonderful specimen with good color and form, and these specimens aren't as common as they once were. A classic specimen of this well-known material. This deposit accounts for 50% of all the mercury deposits in China! Valued at $1800.

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