Is Mercury a Mineral? (+ 3 Facts to Know)

No, mercury is not considered a mineral. It is an element, specifically a liquid metal, with the chemical symbol Hg and atomic number 80. ¹ While mercury can be found in nature, it does not possess the crystalline structure or the characteristic properties of minerals.

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is mercury not a mineral?

Mercury is not considered a mineral because it does not meet the necessary criteria to be classified as one. Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic substances that have a specific chemical composition and a defined crystal structure. ² Let’s break down the reasons why mercury doesn’t fit these criteria:

• Naturally occurring: Minerals are formed through geological processes within the Earth’s crust. ^{3 4} While mercury can be found in nature, it typically exists in small amounts and is rarely found in pure form. Instead, it is more commonly found in combination with other minerals or in the form of mercury compounds.
• Inorganic substance: Minerals are composed of inorganic elements or compounds. In contrast, mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. ⁵ It is a liquid metal at room temperature and is considered an elemental substance rather than a compound.
• Specific chemical composition: Minerals have a specific chemical formula that defines their composition. For example, quartz is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO₂). In contrast, mercury, as an element, consists solely of mercury atoms (Hg).
• Defined crystal structure: Minerals have an ordered, repeating arrangement of atoms or ions in their crystal lattice structure. This regular atomic arrangement gives minerals their characteristic geometric shapes and physical properties. However, mercury does not possess a crystal structure in its liquid state, as it lacks a fixed arrangement of atoms.

Considering these factors, mercury does not meet the criteria to be classified as a mineral. It is more accurately described as a chemical element or a metal.

How is mercury different from minerals?

Mercury is different from minerals in several ways:

• Physical State: Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature, ⁶ whereas minerals can exist in various physical states such as solid, liquid, or gas. Most minerals are solid and have a crystalline structure, while mercury remains in its liquid form.
• Chemical Composition: Mercury is a chemical element with the symbol Hg and atomic number 80. It consists solely of mercury atoms. Minerals, on the other hand, are typically composed of combinations of different elements or compounds. They have specific chemical formulas that define their composition, such as quartz (SiO₂) or calcite (CaCO₃).
• Crystal Structure: Minerals have an ordered, repeating arrangement of atoms or ions in their crystal lattice structure. This regular atomic arrangement gives minerals their characteristic geometric shapes and physical properties. In contrast, mercury does not possess a crystal structure in its liquid state. It has a disordered arrangement of atoms and lacks a fixed geometric shape.
• Formation: Minerals are formed through various geological processes, including crystallization from magma, precipitation from solution, or deposition from biological processes. ⁷ Mercury, on the other hand, is primarily formed as a result of geological processes involving volcanic activity or as a byproduct of certain mining operations.
• Occurrence: Minerals are found abundantly in the Earth’s crust and can be mined or extracted for various purposes. ⁸ Mercury, although naturally occurring, is relatively rare in its pure form. It is often found as small deposits or as a component of certain mineral ores, such as cinnabar (mercury sulfide).

In summary, mercury differs from minerals in terms of physical state, chemical composition, crystal structure, formation processes, and occurrence. While minerals have a well-defined chemical composition and crystal structure, mercury is an elemental liquid metal with no fixed crystal structure.

Further reading

Is Coal a Mineral?
Is Oil a Mineral?
Is Salt a Mineral?
Is Water a Mineral?
Is Glass a Mineral? 

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3. Amnh.org https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent/gems-minerals/how-do-minerals-form
4. Minerals – Geology (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Minerals – Geology (U.S. National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/minerals.htm
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6. Mit Engineering. (2012, November 6). Mit Engineering. https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/why-is-mercury-liquid-at-room-temperature/
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8. Survey, B. G. (n.d.). Where do minerals come from? | Minerals & you | MineralsUK. Where Do Minerals Come From? | Minerals & You | MineralsUK. https://www2.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/mineralsYou/whereDo.html