Introduction: cinnabar occurs as a primary mineral, typically forming in near-surface, low-temperature ore deposits. Primary mercury deposits of this type are, however, not known from Wales and are in general very scarce in the UK. Nevertheless, small amounts of mercury may occur as a trace element in polymetallic vein deposits and then minute quantities of cinnabar may be found in supergene mineral assemblages derived by their weathering. Cinnabar, when occurring as a supergene mineral, can be difficult to identify positively by visual means alone, especially so because there are a number of similar-looking rare minerals such as the lead oxide, litharge.

Occurrence in Wales: only two occurrences of cinnabar are known from Wales - one from the Central Wales Orefield and the other from South Wales. They both fall into the supergene category in their mode of occurrence. Their association with supergene lead mineralization may reflect minor occurrences of mercury-bearing inclusion-forming phases in galena, such as tetrahedrite.

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