Cinnabar and Austinite Physical Properties
Tenacity
Slightly sectile
Brittle
Solubility
1.04 x 10−25 g per 100 ml water (Ksp at 25°C = 2 x 10−32)
Easily soluble in cold dilute HCl
Durability
Not Available
Not Available
Fracture
Uneven, Uneven, Gemstones (2009), Brittle
Brittle, Uneven, Brittle, Uneven
Cleavage
Prismatic {10 1 0}, perfect
Good in two directions parallel to the prism faces {110}
Mohs Hardness
2-2.5
4-4.5
Chemical Composition
HgSMichael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Cinnabar and Austinite Chemical Formula
While comparing Cinnabar and Austinite physical properties, the important data you should know is its chemical composition. Since chemical formula defines the molecular structure of the crystal, most of the physical properties like color, tenacity, solubility are governed by Cinnabar and Austinite chemical formula.
- Chemical formula of Cinnabar- HgSMichael OâDonoghue , Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
- Chemical formula of Austinite- CaZn(AsO4)(OH)
Cinnabar and Austinite Specific Gravity
Another important criteria for qualitative analysis of gemstones is Cinnabar and Austinite Specific gravity. Specific gravity is the relative density of a gemstone compared with respect to density of water. Gemologists use Cinnabar and Austinite Optical Properties during the identification of gemstone. Specific gravity of Cinnabar is 4.12 whereas that of Austinite is 4.12.