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Stibnite
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Stibnite is named from the Greek stibi or stimmi, then Latin stibium, an old name for the element antimony (Sb).

Discovered in 1832;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered)

Chemistry

Chemical Formula:

Sb₂S₃

Antimony Sulfide

Molecular Weight:

339.70 gm

Composition:

Antimony

71.68 %

Sb

Sulfur

28.32 %

S

100.00 %

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Sulfides

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

2/D.08-20

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

2.DB.05

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
D : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 3 :4 and 2:3
B : M:S = 2:3

Related to:

Stibnite Group. Dimorphous with Metastibnite. Forms a series with Bismuthinite.

Varieties:

Selenian Stibnite

Synonyms:

Alcohol, Antimony Glance, Grey Antimony, Lupus Metallorum, Platyophthalmite, Spiessglas, Stibi, Stimmi

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal

Crystal Habit:

Slender to stout, complexly terminated crystals, elongated along [001], to 0.65 m; bent crystals not uncommon, rarely twisted. In radiating and confused groups of acicular crystals; also columnar, granular, or very fine masses.

Twinning:

Rare; twin planes {130}, {120}, and perhaps {310}

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

Perfect and easy on {010}; imperfect on {100} and {110}

Fracture:

Sub-Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Highly flexible but not elastic; slightly sectile

Moh's Hardness:

2.0

Density:

4.63 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

Non-fluorescent

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

Melts at 546°C

Optical Properties

Color:

Lead-Gray, tarnishing Blackish or Iridescent; in polished section, White

Transparency:

Opaque

Luster:

Metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces

Refractive Index:

R1–R2: (400) 31.1–53,3, (420) 30.8–53.2, (440) 30.6–53.0, (460) 30.7–52.8, (480) 31.0–52.2, (500) 31.2–51.1, (520) 31.4–49.7, (540) 31.2–48.5, (560) 30.8–47.2, (580) 30.3–45.8, (600) 29.7–44.5, (620) 29.3–43.5, (640) 29.2–42.6, (660) 29.4–41.8, (680) 29.6–41.1, (700) 29.4–40.3

Birefringence:

0.00

Anisotrophism:

Strong; Color in reflected light: White

Occurances

Geological Setting:

Of hydrothermal origin, formed in veins through a wide range of temperatures.

Common Associations:

Realgar, Orpiment, Cinnabar, Galena, Lead Sulfantimonides, Pyrite, Marcasite, Arsenopyrite, Cervantite, Stibiconite, Calcite, Ankerite, Barite, Chalcedonic Quartz.

Type Locality:

Ichinokawa, Shikoku, Japan

Year Discovered:

1832

View mineral photos:

Stibnite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Stibnite is the most important ore of antimony. It is an opaque, metallic mineral that forms fine crystal clusters with long straight or curved individual crystals growing out in many divergent directions. The curving of some 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 many times down the length of one crystal. Stibnite is an unusual gem with bright metallic facets. It is difficult to facet due to its softness and perfect and easy cleavage.

The following localities have produced outstanding crystallized material. In the USA, at the White Caps mine, Manhattan district, Nye County, and the Murray mine, Independence Mountains district, Elko County, Nevada. From the San José and other mines, Oruro, Bolivia. In Germany, at Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, and near Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia. At Kremnica (Kremnitz) and Banská Štiavnica (Schemnitz), Slovakia. From Príbram, Czech Republic. At Baia Sprie (Felsöbánya) and Herja (Kisbánya), Baia Mare (Nagybánya) district, Romania. In France, at Massaic, Cantal; and at La Lucette, Mayenne. At the Kusa mine, near Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia. From Thames, New Zealand. At Bahar-Lou, near Hamadan, Iran. From Kadamzhay, Kyrgyzstan. Magnificent groups of crystals in the Ichinokawa mine, near Saijo, Ehime Prefecture (Iyo Province), Japan. In China, from the Xikuangshan mine, northeast of Lengshuijiang, Hunan Province and the Lijai Valligy mine, Lushi, Henan Province.
 

  
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