Beijing Wenbao Cultural Relics Appraisal Center was formally established in February 2003. It is a cultural relic appraisal, antique collection information consultation and cultural relic training institution with legal person qualification approved by the Cultural Relics Bureau.
The National Cultural Relics Appraisal Center is a state-level cultural relics protection institution with professional appraisers and equipment, which can appraise and protect all kinds of cultural relics including cinnabar. When identifying the authenticity of cinnabar, the appraisers will comprehensively identify the historical background, materials, technology and other factors of cultural relics. In addition to the National Cultural Relics Appraisal Center, there are also some professional cultural relics appraisal institutions that can also conduct appraisal, but attention should be paid to selecting formal and qualified institutions for appraisal.
Introduction of cinnabar
Cinnabar, also known as ghost fairy cinnabar, cinnabar, red lead and mercury sand, is a kind of mercury sulfide (HgS) mineral. It contains 86.2% mercury and is the main mineral raw material for mercury smelting. Its crystals can be used as important materials for laser technology. It is also a Chinese herbal medicine with sedative, sedative and bactericidal effects. China used it as an important raw material for an alchemist in ancient times. In the past, Chenzhou (now Yuanling, Hunan Province) was named after the best quality.
The crystal belongs to the tripartite system and is homogeneous with the black Cinnabar of the equiaxed system. Often rhombic or short column-shaped; Common in bimorphs. Parallel cylinders split perfectly. Aggregates are granular, massive or membranous. Mohs hardness is 2.5 and specific gravity is 8. 10. The color is often red, and the crystal surface has red stripes and is translucent.
Pure cinnabar is diamond luster and vermilion; When containing impurities, the luster is dull and reddish brown. It is a typical low-temperature hydrothermal mineral, and its genesis is related to modern volcanism. China is a major producer of cinnabar, mainly produced in Xinhuang, Hunan and Tongren, Guizhou. Other producing areas in the world are almaden, Udrio, California coastal mountains and so on.