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Source Locality:Pike County, Arkansas, USA
Minerals:Cinnabar (HgS) in dolomite breccia with white mineralized veins
Dimensions:approx. 19 × 10 × 8 cm
Weight:1585 grams
Description:Offered is a large, exceptional cinnabar specimen from Pike County, Arkansas, presenting classic mercury mineralization on a dramatic dolomite breccia host. This is a high-impact specimen of museum scale, notable for both its size and the visibility of cinnabar from every viewing angle.
The host rock is a dolomite breccia, composed of angular gray clasts cemented by white mineralized veins, creating a strongly textured and contrasting matrix. Distributed across all exposed surfaces are many dozens of bright red, sparkly crystalline blebs of cinnabar, ranging from sub-millimeter size up to approximately 8 mm, with an average size of about 2 mm.
Although the cinnabar occupies only approximately 5% of the total surface area, the crystals are exceptionally conspicuous, standing out vividly against the gray and white brecciated host. The intense red color, combined with crystalline sparkle, ensures that the cinnabar is immediately visible from every angle, giving the specimen strong visual presence despite the modest areal coverage.
Rather than a single-face display piece, this specimen is fully three-dimensional, rewarding inspection from all sides. The combination of large size, classic locality, brecciated host rock, and widespread cinnabar distribution makes this an outstanding example of mercury mineralization and a specimen suitable for museum, institutional, or advanced private collections.
Geologic & Mineralogical Context:Pike County, Arkansas, is historically significant for cinnabar associated with carbonate host rocks. Cinnabar commonly occurs as disseminated crystals and blebs within brecciated dolomite, where mineralized fluids exploited fractures and breccia textures. Large specimens showing cinnabar distributed across multiple surfaces are uncommon and highly representative of this style of mercury mineralization.
Handling Note:Cinnabar is a mercury sulfide mineral. The specimen is stable in hand specimen form but should be handled minimally and displayed in a dry environment. Normal cabinet or museum display conditions are appropriate.
Photos are taken under neutral lighting and represent the specimen accurately. The exact specimen shown is the one you will receive.
Shipping:Carefully packed to ensure safe arrival due to size and weight. Shipping is tracked and insured.
Provenance Note:
The cabinet display card used with this mineral is included. As the card indicates on the reverse, this specimen is from the lifelong private hobby collection of a retired USGS professional. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) does not endorse, sponsor, or certify this mineral, nor has it evaluated this listing. This is a private liquidation of independent, historically sourced worldwide specimens.
