Mercury is one of the few metals that isliquid at room temperature, along with caesium and gallium. In fact, it only freezes
at less than -40°Cl-40°F. Strictly speaking, it is nor a mineral but a mineraloid because it does nor normally form crystals. It is the only mineral hesides water to Occur narurally as a liquid. All the same, it doesn't often form pools bur is found as tiny blobs on the mercury ores of cinnabar and calomel, typically lodged in crevices or attached by surface tension. Occasionally, pools of mercury can also be found filling rock cavities, usually in active volcanic regions. It has a Iso been found as a precipitate from hor springs, along wirh cinnabar and other minerals. Because it IS so rare, native12.mercuryisnot used as a source of mercury. Identification: Beadlike drops of mercury are Instantly recognizable.