Stibiconite is a secondary mineral commonly formed by the alteration of stibnite in oxidation zones of antimony deposits. It is frequently found as yellow, earthy crusts or pseudomorphs, retaining the original prismatic shape of the stibnite crystals it replaces.
Is this stibiconite?
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 stibiconite with a known reference. Stibiconite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Stibiconite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Stibiconite typically shows a dull luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow, white, colorless, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, crusts, earthy, pseudomorphs after stibnite.
Often confused with
Stibiconite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Stibiconite leaves white, Bindheimite leaves yellow; luster reads dull on Stibiconite and earthy on Bindheimite.
How to tell apart: Stibiconite is noticeably harder (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 1-1.5); streak differs — Stibiconite leaves white, Kermesite leaves brownish-red; luster reads dull on Stibiconite and adamantine on Kermesite.
Often found alongside stibiconite
Minerals reported to co-occur with stibiconite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb³⁺Sb⁵⁺₂O₆(OH)
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 5.3-5.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Dull
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Crusts, Earthy, Pseudomorphs After Stibnite
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Common
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Antimony
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $10-60 for cabinet specimens
Where rockhounds find stibiconite
Classic worldwide localities
- Mexico
- Germany
- China
- Australia
- Bolivia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where stibiconite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, valentinite, senarmontite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, crusts, earthy, pseudomorphs after stibnite habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find stibiconite on the map
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