Metacinnabar

Metacinnabar has been reported as microscopic inclusions in sphalerite (unpublished TCL Report, 1973; cited by Bartelke, 1976). It is visible only in polished section and under the ore microscope. Lombaard et al. (1986) listed it as an extremely rare mineral, without further comment. Hughes (1987) confirmed its very rare presence as inclusions in sphalerite and speculates whether mercury in sphalerite might account for the red fluorescence that is sometimes observed.

sphalerite