Cinnabar

The Lauterecken-Wolfstein area was a smaller historic mercury-producing area in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. As such it is not often that specimens from there are seen. This large miniature specimen consists of a Baryte matrix within which deep red Cinnabar is seen richly dispersed. Part of the allure of this specimen is its accompanying old label, which, based on others of a similar style within the larger collection appear to date to the second half of the 19th century. This label records the locality as "Wolfstein". A lovely classic old-time German Cinnabar, from a more unusual occurrence.