Name/Title
StibniteEntry/Object ID
2009.62.29Description
Chemical Composition: Sb2S3
Crystal System: Orthorhombic System
Description: Common Name: Stibnite
Chemistry: Sb2S3 Antimony Sulfide
Group: Sulfides
Location: Xikuazian Mine, Lenghuijan, Hunan Province, China
Description: The crystals are a silvery gray with a needle or blade shape.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is steel gray to silver.
Luster is metallic.
Transparency crystals are opaque.
Crystal System is orthorhombic; 2/m 2/m 2/m
Crystal Habits include bladed or acicular crystals often bent or curved due to twinning, also granular and massive.
Cleavage is perfect in the lengthwise direction.
Fracture is irregular.
Hardness is 2
Specific Gravity is approximately 4.6+ (average for metallic minerals)
Streak is a dark gray.
Other Characteristics: striated lengthwise sometimes deeply, luster brighter on cleavage surfaces and crystals slightly flexible.
Associated Minerals include quartz, calcite, gold, arsenopyrite and other sulfides.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, softness and flexibility
Fracture: irregular
Hardness: 2 Gypsum
Luster: Metallic
Occurrence: Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral with the formula Sb2S3. This soft grey material crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group. It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony.
Stibnite has a structure similar to that of arsenic trisulfide, As2S3. The Sb(III) centers, which are pyramidal and three-coordinate, are linked via bent two-coordinate sulfide ions. It is grey when fresh, but can turn superficially black due to oxidation in air.
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 4.6+
Streak: dark gray
Texture: crystaline
Variety: Stibnite is a classic mineral species with fine crystal clusters and long curved crystals being the pride of many collectors. The slender curved metallic blades of stibnite can resemble arabian swords. The curving of the long bladed crystals is due to twinning where one twin plane bends the crystal one direction and another twin plane bends it in the other direction. This can occur numerous times down the length of one crystal. Stibnite's crystal clusters are admired for their distinctive look with dozens of accicular or bladed crystals jutting out in many divergent directions.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Width
3 inDepth
5 inLength
7-1/2 inWeight
6.12 ozDimension Notes
Dimension taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
FS-3-BRoom
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Jillian Mather KettleyDate
January 29, 2025Notes
Inventory/ location