Cinnabar – A Quirky Name, an Interesting Stone!

Cinnabar—what a weird name for a rock, right? I always remember it from when I was a kid rockhounding in Northland, New Zealand. We were told, “Don’t lick the red ones!” because they contained mercury. Of course, being kids, that just made it more fascinating.

The cinnabar we usually see here in New Zealand is found inside a pale white chalcedony. I’ve recently been revisiting this mineral, as we had some beautiful cinnabar tumbles arrive—something I hadn’t seen before! The supplier also told me not to lick them… apparently, that warning sticks with the stone.

That name, though—Cinnabar. For some reason, it always stuck with me as a kid because it sounded like “Sinner’s Bar.” Like a soup Bar for bad people or a terrible Pub? Yes, this did cross my mind as a child. Kids will be kids but at least it was a good way to remember the name. The name actually comes from Ancient Greek kinnabari, and its more formal mineral name is cinnabarite (you know, with that classic ‘-ite’ ending).

So… why don’t we lick cinnabar? And why are people licking rocks in the first place? Well, it’s kind of a rockhound thing. Instead of wetting a stone with water or a cloth to see its true colour, some folks just go ahead and lick it. Gross, right? And controversial! Definitely a story for another day.

But back to cinnabar—why not lick it? Because it contains mercury. That doesn’t mean it’s dangerous to have a piece in your cabinet or even as a tumble, but it’s not something you want to handle constantly. It's a soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of just 2 to 2.5, and it can break or crumble easily. Like with any stone, especially softer or potentially toxic ones, treat it with care. And never use cinnabar in crystal elixirs—it’s simply not safe for water infusion, direct or indirect. Always research your stones before using them in any kind of energetic water.

If you're ever cutting or polishing it, always wear proper safety gear (including a mask!)—not just for cinnabar, but to avoid silicosis from all kinds of stone dust.

A Little History…

Cinnabar has been mined and used for thousands of years—right back to the Neolithic Age! The Romans used it as both a pigment and a mercury source. To get quicksilver (liquid mercury), they’d roast cinnabar ore in hot furnaces and collect the vapour as it condensed. Sounds pretty grim, and it was—miners often suffered from mercury poisoning. Shaking, confusion, even death.

Despite the danger, cinnabar has been prized for its vibrant colour. It was used in ancient cosmetics, Chinese carved lacquerware, and even in burial rituals. In Chile, two mummies dated between 1399 and 1475 AD were found with cinnabar-dyed clothing!

Science + Spirit

Cinnabar is mercury sulfide and forms in volcanic and hydrothermal areas. It’s the main ore of mercury, and its bright red colour makes it a striking specimen.

Metaphysically, cinnabar is known as a stone of transformation, manifestation, and alchemy—both physical and emotional. It’s believed to boost personal power, attract abundance (especially in business), and stimulate creativity and vitality. Often linked to the root and sacral chakras, cinnabar supports those on bold, purpose-driven paths. It’s not a stone for the faint-hearted—it’s for those ready to take action and make change.

So there we go, Cinnabar. One very interesting stone.

Photo Cinnabar in its Tumbled form from Spain.