Onoratoite is a rare antimony chloride mineral that typically forms as delicate, needle-like acicular crystals. It is primarily found within hydrothermal deposits associated with stibnite oxidation zones. Collectors value it for its unusual composition and rarity, often requiring magnification to appreciate its crystal structure.
Is this onoratoite?
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 onoratoite with a known reference. Onoratoite 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. Onoratoite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Onoratoite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless, white, yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: acicular crystals.
Often confused with
Onoratoite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Onoratoite leaves white, Stibnite leaves lead-gray; luster reads vitreous on Onoratoite and metallic on Stibnite.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Onoratoite leaves white, Kermesite leaves brownish-red; luster reads vitreous on Onoratoite and adamantine on Kermesite.
Often found alongside onoratoite
Minerals reported to co-occur with onoratoite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₈O₁₁Cl₂
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.37 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Acicular Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect On {010}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Antimony-rich Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300+ depending on crystal size and clarity
Where rockhounds find onoratoite
Classic worldwide localities
- Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in antimony-rich hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where onoratoite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, valentinite, senarmontite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a acicular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify onoratoite?+
Where is onoratoite found?+
How much is onoratoite worth?+
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What rocks look like onoratoite?+
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Find onoratoite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
