Stibnite
| Colour | Gray, Black |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 2 |
| Lustre | Metallic |
| Streak | Lead grey |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Transparency | Opaque |
| Cleavage | Perfect and easy on {010}; imperfect on {100} and {110} |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal |
| Chemical formula | Sb 2 S 3 |
| Specific gravity | 4.63 |
What is Stibnite?
Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite, is a sulfide mineral, a mineral form of antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3). It is a soft, metallic grey crystalline solid with an orthorhombic space group. It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony. The name is derived from the Greek στίβι stibi through the Latin stibium as the former name for the mineral and the element antimony.
How to identify Stibnite
- Lustre: Metallic.
- Hardness: Mohs 2 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: Lead grey.
- Habit: Orthorhombic crystal system.
Stibnite in different forms
Frequently asked questions
How hard is Stibnite?
Stibnite is Mohs 2 on the hardness scale.
What colour is Stibnite?
Stibnite is typically gray, black (Lead-gray, tarnishing blackish or iridescent; in polished section, white).