From the dense-as-iridium land of DubDub:

Stales, thanks for providing those pockets of Mercury. But you lost me when you made your point about mercury and water. Water's not a mineral, however, is it, so your point that mercury is the only liquid would appear to still stand on its liquideous little legs, huh? When you mentioned the oxides group, that was where you lost me in the discussion about minerals...

Thanks for your patience,
Rocky

PS: The Socrates Mine in Sonoma County, California, inspired me to ask still another question.