Stibnite

Real mineral · uncommon · Sb₂S₃

The chief ore of antimony, in steel-grey prisms that bend rather than snap and melt in a candle flame. Ground fine, it served as kohl for the eye in antiquity, at some cost to the wearer.

Identity

Formula

Sb₂S₃

Chemical class

sulfide

Also known as

Antimonite, Grey antimony

Crystallography

Crystal system

orthorhombic

Habits

prismatic, acicular, bladed, massive

Fracture

conchoidal

Physical properties

Mohs hardness

2

Density

4.63 g/cm³

Luster

metallic

Colors

lead gray, bluish lead gray, steel gray, black

Streak

blackish gray

Transparency

opaque

Geology

Origins

hydrothermal

Host rocks

quartz vein

Associated minerals

Quartz, Pyrite, Calcite, Realgar

Geography

China, Japan, Romania

Classification

Rarity

uncommon

Gem quality

No

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