Chinese Cinnabar Specimens
In the early 1990s the mineral world was shocked by the first Chinese cinnabar crystals. They were, and still are, hands down the best of the species to be found to date. They were initially outrageous in price. Many thousands of dollars for any decent specimen. Today we find them readily available in small specimens at a similar price. The larger specimens are uncommon and still expensive. They commonly form on white to cream color dolomites which allow for a wonderful color contract. Crystals over a centimeter are becoming less common and ones over two centimeters are very uncommon and expensive.
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OKH-975 Cinnabar Fenghuang, Hunan Prov., China. Ex Paul and Dawne Dunning Collection. A beautiful drill bit twin in calcite and dolomite. The cinnabar is 1.3 cm in length and deep red in color (not reflected well in the images). No damage tot his 5.2 x 3.1 x 3 cm specimen. Nice quality miniature with a moderate sized crystal of excellent form. $300
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OKA-664 Cinnabar Yaogangxian, Hunan Prov., China. Red cinnabar crystals on white dolomite plates. These crystals have an almost melted effect or waxy appearance. Typically expensive and difficult to get in good specimens. 60$
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OKA-321 Cinnabar Hunan Province, China. Deep red, gemmy cinnabar crystals on white dolomite. Super contrast. Small void with several well formed crystals to 1.4 cm. Fairly thick dolostone matrix (gray). 9 x 7 x7 cm. 58$
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OKB-513 Cinnabar Sichuan Prov., China. This deep red cinnabar crystal is non-typical being as elongated as it is. It measures 1.2 cm and stands up nicely off the matrix. 25$
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OKB-514 Cinnabar Sichuan Prov., China. 1.8 cm cluster of intergrown cinnabar crystals. There is a very tiny (approx. 1 millimerter) ding. 20$
