Liquid silvery metal. Stable in air and water, unreactive to
acids (except conc nitric) and alkalis. Used in chlorine and NaOH
manufacture, street lights, fungicides, electrical apparatus, etc.
Diagnostic tests:
In a closed tube, a sublimate of metallic mercury or black HgS is yielded
when the mineral is heated with dry soda (Na2CO3).
In solution, mercury (Hg1+), along with lead and silver form
white, insoluble chlorides from aqueous solutions.
References
Emsley, J., 1991; THE ELEMENTS : Sec. Ed.,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 251 p.
(* - Mineral Name Is Not IMA Approved)
(! - New Dana classification added or changed from Danas New Mineralogy)
(? - IMA Discredited Mineral Species Name)
There are 95 minerals with Hg in the Mineralogy Database.