I've lost the original thread to the cinnabar question - oh well - anyway, several people mentioned that today's cinnabar is carved wood which has been lacquered (or carved resin.) The Bead Society of Greater Washington, at their twice-annual bead bazaar, has a bead i.d. table. One year they had a connabar bead which had been deconstructed. What I learned was this: it is the LACQUER that is carved, not the wood!
I personally love cinnabar - I have used it successfully with poppy jasper, balck onyx, and most recently, African turquoise. You can look at my newest necklace using cinnabar here:
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Suzanne Hye, Owner HYE ON BEADS formerly Henrietta's Beading Supply Co. P.O. Box 6244 Monroe Township, NJ 08831
732-605-0300/1-800-325-3918 fax 732-656-1066 On eBay visit my store: Hye on Beads Seller I.D.: vintagesuzanne Free Price List & Brochure Call and stop by The Bead Studio when you are in our area! Full service beads and supplies, class & workshops