stibnite

Stibnite has a structure similar to that of arsenic trisulfide, As₂S₃. The Sb(III) centers, which are pyramidal and three-coordinate, are linked via bent two-coordinate sulfide ions. However, some studies suggest that the actual coordination polyhedra of antimony are SbS₇, with (3+4) coordination at the M1 site and (5+2) at the M2 site. Some of the secondary bonds impart cohesion and are connected with packing.{{cite journal | doi=10.1007/s00269-001-0227-1 | bibcode=2002PCM....29..254K | volume=29 |issue = 4| title=Low-temperature crystal structures of stibnite implying orbital overlap of Sb 5s 2 inert pair electrons | journal=Physics and Chemistry of Minerals | pages=254–260 | year=2002 | author=Kyono A| s2cid=95067785 }} Stibnite is grey when fresh, but can turn superficially black due to oxidation in air.

The melting point of Sb₂S₃ is {{convert|823|K}}.{{Cite book|title=Thermodynamic data for inorganic sulphides, selenides and tellurides|last=Mills, K. C.|date=1974|publisher=Butterworths|isbn=040870537X|location=London|oclc=1031663}} The band gap is 1.88 eV at room temperature and it is a photoconductor.{{Cite book|title=Semiconductors : data handbook|last=Madelung, O. (Otfried)|date=2004|publisher=Springer|isbn=3540404880|edition= 3rd|location=Berlin|oclc=56192440}} Stibnite is also toxic upon ingestion, with symptoms similar to those of arsenic poisoning.{{cite web | url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/minerals-sparkling-sensitive-and-toxic.html#:~:text=Toxic%20minerals&text=For%20example%2C%20stibnite%20contains%20antimony,the%20conservation%20team%20serious%20harm. | title=Minerals: Sparkling, sensitive and toxic }}

File:Stibnite - Herja mine, Maramures, Romania.jpg

Pastes of Sb₂S₃ powder in fat{{cite book|editor=Priesner, Claus |editor2=Figala, Karin|year=1998|title=Alchemie. Lexikon einer hermetischen Wissenschaft|place= München|publisher=C. H. Beck|language=de|isbn=978-3-406-44106-6}} or in other materials have been used since c. 3000 BC as eye cosmetics in the Mediterranean and farther afield; in this use, Sb₂S₃ is called kohl. It was used to darken the brows and lashes, or to draw a line around the perimeter of the eye.{{Cite web |title=Ancient Egyptian make-up |work=Pitt Rivers Museum |date= |access-date=5 July 2023 |url= https://web.prm.ox.ac.uk/bodyarts/index.php/temporary-body-arts/cosmetics/79-ancient-egyptian-make-up.html}}

Antimony trisulfide finds use in pyrotechnic compositions, namely in the glitter and fountain mixtures. Needle-like crystals, "Chinese needles", are used in glitter compositions and white pyrotechnic stars. The "dark pyro" version is used in flash powders to increase their sensitivity and sharpen their report. It is also a component of modern safety matches. It was formerly used in flash compositions, but its use was abandoned due to toxicity and sensitivity to static electricity.[http://www.pyrouniverse.com/chem.htm *Pyrotechnic Chemical Guide"]. PyroUniverse.com. Retrieved on 2011-10-14.

Stibnite was used ever since protodynastic ancient Egypt as a medication and a cosmetic. The Sunan Abi Dawood reports, “prophet Muhammad said: 'Among the best types of collyrium is antimony (ithmid) for it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.{{'"}}{{cite book|author=Sunan Abu-Dawud |translator=Ahmad Hasan |title=Book 32, Number 4050|url= http://www.muslimaccess.com/sunnah/hadeeth/abudawud/032.html}}

The 17th century alchemist Eirenaeus Philalethes, also known as George Starkey, describes stibnite in his alchemical commentary An Exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle. Starkey used stibnite as a precursor to philosophical mercury, which was itself a hypothetical precursor to the philosopher's stone.{{cite journal |title=Decknamen or pseudochemical language? Eirenaeus Philalethes and Carl Jung |url=http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/rhs_0151-4105_1996_num_49_2_1254 |first=William R. |last=Newman |journal=Revue d'histoire des sciences |year=1996 |volume=49 |issue=2–3 |pages=159–188|doi=10.3406/rhs.1996.1254 |pmid=11618553 }}

Stibnite occurs in hydrothermal deposits and is associated with realgar, orpiment, cinnabar, galena, pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, cervantite, stibiconite, calcite, ankerite, barite and chalcedony.

Small deposits of stibnite are common, but large deposits are rare. The world's largest deposit of antimony, the Xikuangshan mine, yields high quality crystals in paragenesis with calcite. It occurs in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Japan, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, England, Algeria, and Kalimantan, Borneo. In the United States it is found in Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska.

Historically, the Romans used stibnite mined in Dacia to make colourless glass, the making of which ended when this province was lost to the Roman Empire.{{cite journal |last1=Degryse |first1=P. |last2=Gonzalez |first2=S.N. |last3=Vanhaecke |first3=F. |last4=Dillis |first4=S. |last5=Van Ham-Meert |first5=A. |date=2024 |title=The rise and fall of antimony: Sourcing the "colourless" in Roman glass |journal=Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |volume=53 |page=104344 |doi=10.1016/j.jasrep.2023.104344|bibcode=2024JArSR..53j4344D }}

As of May 2007, the largest specimen on public display (1000 pounds) is at the American Museum of Natural History.{{cite web| url =http://www.amnh.org/science/papers/stibnite.php | title=American Museum of Natural History, Spectacular Stibnite| publisher=American Museum of Natural History|accessdate=2007-05-27}}{{cite web| url = http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20070406/100505.shtml| accessdate = 2009-06-06| title = Chinese stibnite crystal on display in US}} The largest documented single crystals of stibnite measured ~60×5×5 cm and originated from different locations including Japan, France and Germany.{{cite journal| url = http://www.minsocam.org/ammin/AM66/AM66_885.pdf| journal = American Mineralogist| volume = 66| pages = 885–907| year= 1981| title= The largest crystals| author = P. C. Rickwood}}

File:StibineRoumanie.jpg|Stibnite from Herja mine, Romania

File:Stibnite-Calcite-203075.jpg|Needles of stibnite within a transparent crystal of calcite (size: 4.5×3.5×1.8 cm)

File:Stibnite-21985.jpg|Ray of sharp, striated, iridescent metallic stibnite blades

File:Kristallstruktur Stibnit.png|Structure of stibnite

• List of minerals
• Stibnides, compounds of antimony

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• {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Stibnite}}

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Category:Alchemical substances

Category:Antimony minerals

Category:Minerals in space group 62

Category:Orthorhombic minerals

Category:Sulfide minerals

Category:Glances