Cinnabar, also known as cinnabar and dansha, is a bright red mineral that is widely used in cultural toys, handicrafts, traditional Chinese medicine and other fields. However, the quality of cinnabar on the market is uneven, and it is difficult to distinguish between real and fake. So, how to identify the authenticity of cinnabar?This article will answer you one by one from the characteristics of cinnabar and identification methods.
1. Understand the basic characteristics of cinnabar.
The color of cinnabar is mainly bright red, the texture is brittle, and the specific gravity is large. High-quality cinnabar is brightly colored, pure, and contains no impurities. In sunlight or light, cinnabar will give off a slight metallic sheen. At the same time, cinnabar has a certain hardness, and scratching its surface with a knife does not leave obvious marks.
2. Observe the appearance of cinnabar.
The appearance of real cinnabar presents a natural texture and color, while synthetic cinnabar is often too bright in color and dull in texture. In addition, natural cinnabar will contain some impurities to a greater or lesser extent, while synthetic cinnabar appears very pure. Therefore, when buying cinnabar, you should pay attention to whether it has a natural appearance.
3. Use chemical methods to identify.
Cinnabar is placed in hydrochloric acid, and if it is genuine, it will not produce bubbles. Synthetic cinnabar often contains impurities such as calcium carbonate, which will produce bubbles when encountering hydrochloric acid. Although this method is relatively accurate, improper operation may cause damage to cinnabar, so it is recommended to do it under the guidance of a professional.
Fourth, through the professional organization appraisal.
If you still have doubts about the authenticity of cinnabar, you can seek the help of a professional appraisal agency. These institutions usually have advanced testing equipment and professional appraisers who can provide you with accurate identification results.
In short, identifying the authenticity of cinnabar requires a certain amount of professional knowledge and experience. When buying cinnabar, it is recommended to learn more about relevant knowledge and improve the ability to identify. At the same time, choose reputable merchants to buy to reduce the risk of buying fakes.