Stibnite
Stibnite is a sulfide mineral known for its striking metallic crystals, with several world-class Chinese localities.
About Stibniteextended article
Stibnite — the principal ore of antimony — is one of the most distinctive sulfides in collecting. Its long silvery blades, radiating into starburst sprays, are a signature look of Chinese mineralogy. The Xikuangshan deposit in Hunan is the world's largest antimony resource and produces specimens unrivaled anywhere else.
The Chinese angle
The Xikuangshan and Wuning deposits yield individual stibnite crystals in excess of 30 cm — including the legendary Houluoping pocket whose blades resembled polished steel sabers. Chinese stibnite is the worldwide reference for the species; nothing else comes close in size or perfection.
Localities and the great pockets
Xikuangshan (Lengshuijiang) in central Hunan is the world’s largest antimony deposit and the reference source for the species — bladed and prismatic crystals with a bright metallic lustre, sometimes in radiating sprays, on crystalline calcite or with barite. The Wuning area of Jiangxi adds further fine material.
Judging quality, value, and care
Length, blade sharpness, metallic lustre, and freedom from cleavage damage — to which this soft, perfectly-cleaved sulfide is prone — all drive value; undamaged terminations and minimal tarnish are key. Stibnite tarnishes slowly in humid air, so store it with a desiccant in low light, keep it away from sulfur-laden materials, and never clean it with acids. See the Lengshuijiang page.
About Stibnite
Stibnite is classified as a sulfide mineral in the stibnite group and has the chemical formula Sb2S3. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and is relatively soft, requiring careful handling. Its combination of structural character and global distribution make it a recognized species in both systematic and aesthetic collections.
Identification & care
Crystals commonly develop as prismatic striated crystals, acicular clusters, massive; bent and curved crystals common. Its color is typically lead-grey with iridescent tarnish and sometimes golden-yellow coating. The luster is metallic, the streak is lead-grey, and specimens are typically opaque. The cleavage is perfect on {010}. The fracture is uneven, sub-conchoidal, which aids identification.
Collector context
How it forms
Stibnite forms in low- to medium-temperature hydrothermal veins; often associated with gold and quartz; also in hot-spring deposits. It is commonly found in association with realgar, orpiment, arsenopyrite, cinnabar, quartz, pyrite, gold, calcite, barite.
Classic Chinese localities
Xikuangshan Sb deposit (Xikuangshan antimony deposit) is a benchmark source for stibnite.
Why collectors care
Collectors gravitate to Stibnite for the drama of its metallic luster and the geometry of its crystals — long striated blades, parallel sprays, or radiating clusters depending on the specimen. A large terminated group of stibnite with intact luster is a centerpiece-level display object, and Chinese localities (where relevant) have produced some of the world's best-preserved material.
What affects value
Value in Stibnite is assessed, in typical order of weight, against: (1) locality provenance; (2) crystal size; (3) termination quality and crystal completeness; (4) metallic luster integrity (absence of tarnish); (5) crystal habit elegance (parallel, radiating, or bladed); (6) matrix contrast and aesthetic balance; (7) condition and absence of re-attached crystals. Verified locality documentation and absence of cleaning residue act as strong multipliers across the above.
Naming history
The name Stibnite has a specific etymological and historical context — see Mindat's reference entry for provenance details. We have retained naming data at the record level; published prose is paraphrased from factual fields rather than copied from source.
Frequently asked questions
What is Stibnite?
Stibnite is a sulfide mineral known for its striking metallic crystals, with several world-class Chinese localities.
What is the chemical formula of Stibnite?
The chemical formula of Stibnite is Sb2S3.
What crystal system does Stibnite belong to?
Stibnite crystallises in the Orthorhombic crystal system.
Where is Stibnite found?
Notable localities for Stibnite include Hunan Province, Lengshuijiang Antimony Mine, China.
Is Stibnite rare?
As a collector mineral, Stibnite is generally considered uncommon.
References & databases
Mindat.org is the world’s largest open mineralogy database. Our descriptions are written independently and fact-checked.
Available Stibnite specimens
Stibnite Crystal Cluster, Hunan, China
Stibnite Cluster with Barite, Lengshuijiang, Hunan
Stibnite Crystal with Calcite, Hunan
Stibnite Blade Cluster, Hunan
Stibnite Crystal – High-Luster Blades, Hunan, China
Stibnite and Barite Cluster – Hunan, China
Twin Stibnite Crystal – Blade Formation – Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystals – Metallic Brilliance – Lengshuijiang, Hunan
Stibnite Crystal Formation – Antimony Sulfide – Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystal on Barite – Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystal – Iridescent Metallic – Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystal – Columnar Form – Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystals – Acicular Radiating Form – Lengshuijiang, Hunan
Stibnite Crystal – Columnar Form – Lengshuijiang Mine, Hunan
Stibnite Crystal Formation, Hunan, China
Recently sold Stibnite specimens
Stibnite Crystal on Matrix, Hunan, China
Stibnite Crystal – Prismatic Form – Lengshuijiang Mine, Hunan
Stibnite Crystals, Lengshuijiang, China
Stibnite Acicular Cluster, Lengshuijiang Mine, Hunan
Stibnite Crystals, Hunan, China
