Description
The mineral stibnite (also: antimonite) is an antimony sulfide with the chemical formula Sb2S3. The opaque lead-gray, steel-gray, or black stibnite has a metallic luster, a blackish-gray streak color, and the mineral's cleavage is perfect along the crystal plane [010]. The crystal system is orthorhombic. Stibnite has an average density of 4.63 g/cm³, a hardness of 2, and is not radioactive. Antimonite occurs as long, radiating crystals or in massive form. The latter can be confused with galena, but the crystal shape is characteristic of antimonite, as is its low melting point: it melts in a candle flame. This mineral is the main source of the relatively rare element antimony (concentration 0.2 parts per million in the Earth's crust), a toxic element used in batteries, semiconductors, and for hardening metal alloys. The name of the mineral stibnite is derived from the Greek stibnum, meaning "antimony." Stibnite is a mineral formed in hydrothermal veins along with other antimony ores, in sediments near hot springs, and in limestone. The type locality is located in Ichinokawa, Shikoku, Japan. It is also found in Lengshuijang, Hunan, China
Stibnite
