Cinnabar

The Cinnabar collection holds the Royal Cinnabar Guardian bracelet, made of natural royal cinnabar (Zijinsha) with a stated cinnabar content of 90%. The beads are a deep crimson with a subtle crystalline sheen, and the bracelet comes in two bead sizes, 8mm and 10mm, with a lotus-shaped metal bead. Cinnabar is a mineral, mercury sulfide, and its red has been used in Chinese lacquer, seals and amulets for centuries; in that tradition it is worn as a guardian stone. We describe that as tradition, not as a result. Wear cinnabar as jewelry only: do not heat it, grind it or put it in the mouth, and keep it away from small children.

Tiger's eye, lapis lazuli, red agate and cinnabar

Four stones with long histories in amulets. Tiger's eye is a banded quartz with a moving band of light. Lapis lazuli is a deep blue rock, often flecked with golden pyrite. Red agate, including Southern red agate, is a banded chalcedony. Cinnabar is mercury sulfide; GrainMoon's royal cinnabar bracelet is described as 90% cinnabar content.

How to judge quality

Tiger's eye: by the sharpness and movement of the light band. Lapis: by an even, saturated blue with little grey calcite; fine golden pyrite flecks are accepted and often liked. Red agate: by the evenness and saturation of the red and the smoothness of the banding. Cinnabar: by the depth of the crimson and the fineness of the carved detail.

Care

Wipe all four with a soft dry cloth. Keep lapis away from water, acids and ultrasonic cleaners; it is porous and can dull. Cinnabar is a mercury mineral: wear it as jewelry, do not heat it, grind it, carve it or put it in the mouth, wash your hands after long handling, and keep it away from small children.

Tradition

These stones are traditionally worn as symbols of strength, clarity and protection: tiger's eye for courage and focus, lapis for clarity, red for good fortune in Chinese tradition, cinnabar as a guardian colour used for centuries in lacquer, seals and amulets. Tradition, not a result.