Clinocervantite is a rare monoclinic polymorph of antimony tetroxide, often found as a secondary mineral in oxidized antimony ore deposits. Collectors typically seek it in small, platy crystal aggregates associated with other antimony oxides like stibiconite or valentinite.
Is this clinocervantite?
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 clinocervantite with a known reference. Clinocervantite sits at Mohs 4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinocervantite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Clinocervantite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, white.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Clinocervantite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Clinocervantite and greasy on Cervantite.
How to tell apart: Stibiconite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 4); luster reads adamantine on Clinocervantite and dull on Stibiconite.
Often found alongside clinocervantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with clinocervantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 6.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Antimony Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find clinocervantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cervantes, Spain
- Wolfsberg, Germany
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized antimony deposits country — that is the host setting where clinocervantite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, senarmontite, valentinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clinocervantite?+
Where is clinocervantite found?+
How much is clinocervantite worth?+
Is clinocervantite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like clinocervantite?+
What minerals are found with clinocervantite?+
What kind of rock does clinocervantite form in?+
What is clinocervantite used for?+
Find clinocervantite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
