Antimonselite is a rare antimony selenide mineral that typically forms as soft, metallic-grey acicular needles or fibrous masses. It is most easily confused with stibnite, but its specific gravity and elemental composition distinguish it as a distinct species found in hydrothermal vein deposits.
Is this antimonselite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch antimonselite with a known reference. Antimonselite sits at Mohs 2 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Antimonselite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Antimonselite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray, lead-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: acicular crystals, fibrous, massive.
Often confused with
Antimonselite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside antimonselite
Minerals reported to co-occur with antimonselite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂Se₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 6.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals, Fibrous, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find antimonselite
Classic worldwide localities
- Wolfsberg, Germany
- Manzanita Mountains, USA
- San Jose, Bolivia
- Huancavelica, Peru
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where antimonselite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, berthierite, pyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals, fibrous, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify antimonselite?+
Where is antimonselite found?+
How much is antimonselite worth?+
Is antimonselite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like antimonselite?+
What minerals are found with antimonselite?+
What kind of rock does antimonselite form in?+
What is antimonselite used for?+
Find antimonselite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
