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. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, prismatic.
Often confused with
Clinocervantite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clinocervantite leaves white, Cervantite leaves pale yellow to white; luster reads vitreous on Clinocervantite and earthy when powdery on Cervantite.
How to tell apart: Stibiconite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-7 vs. 4); streak differs, so Clinocervantite leaves white, Stibiconite leaves light yellow; luster reads vitreous on Clinocervantite and pearly, opaline, glassy to earthy 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
- 6.72 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Microscopic crystals, prismatic
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In vugs in waste rock from an antimony mine
Where rockhounds find clinocervantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cetine mine, Siena, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In vugs in waste rock from an antimony mine. If you start seeing valentinite, tripuhyite, bindheimite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: microscopic crystals, prismatic. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clinocervantite?+
Where is clinocervantite found?+
Is clinocervantite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like clinocervantite?+
What minerals are found with clinocervantite?+
What kind of rock does clinocervantite form in?+
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Find clinocervantite on the map
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