Mineral Species: Stibnite
Chemical Formula: Sb2S3
Chemical Name: Antimony Trisulfide
Mineral Class: Sulphide
Mineral Notes: Stibnite is an important ore of Antimony. It is deposited from hot solutions, often with Arsenic minerals and Cinnabar, an ore of Mercury. Stibnite has the interesting property of having gliding planes. Thus many crystals can be bent, or will bend under pressure, without fracturing. The atoms will glide a definite distance in the basal plane, and then stop.
Description: Large, prismatic crystals of Stibnite. Many are stacked as overlapping scales. Some have fused together to form other interesting forms and habits. Overall, the mineral has a dark grey colour and a very strong metallic luster. An outstanding specimen from a classic and rare location.
Location: Ichinokawa Mine, Ichinokawa, Ehime, Shikoku, Japan.
