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Minerals P-T
Stibnite
Name
Stibnite
Chemistry
antimony sulfide (Sb2S3)
Uses
Stibnite is the most important source for the rare metal antimony.
Color-
Steel gray to dull gray. Black iridiscent tarnish may be present.
Hardness
2
Specific gravity
54.56 - 4.62
Crystal system:
Orthorhombic. Massive, radiating and elongated crystals. Massive and granular.
Accompanied by:
Calcite, barite
Fracture
Small-scale subconchoidal
Luster
Splendent on fresh crystals surfaces, otherwise metallic
Cleavage
Perfect
Streak
Similar to color
Similar to:
Stibnite, sometimes also called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral with the chemical composition Sb2S3. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, has hardness 2 and a grey colour.
Stibnite is the most important source for the rare metal antimony. It is soluble in hydrochloric acid, and is tarnished by potassium hydroxide solution.
Small deposits of Stibnite are common, large ones are rare. It occurs in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Japan, China, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, England, Algeria, and Kalimantan, Borneo. In the United States it is found in Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska. Large iridescent stibnite crystals are found in Japan.
