Formula: HgS
Origin of name: From Greek meta and cinnabar
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal class: -43m
Twinning: Common on {111}
Unit cell: a = 5.852 Å
Colour: Grayish black
Diaphaneity:
Luster: Metallic
Habit: Crystals tetrahedral, rare; massive
Hardness: 3
Specific gravity: 7.65
Cleavage: None
Tenacity: Subconchoidal to uneven; brittle
Streak: Black
Synonyms/varieties: Guadalcazarite (Zn-rich var.), onofrite (Se-rich var.)
Comments: Polymorphous with cinnabar, hypercinnabar and tiemannite
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