Stibnite is recognized by its distinct metallic lead-gray color and highly prismatic, deeply striated crystals that often form radiating clusters. It is quite soft and has perfect cleavage, making it a brittle specimen that requires careful handling. It is primarily found in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and is a significant ore for the metal antimony.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces

Streak

Lead-gray

Transparency

Opaque

mineralcommon

Stibnite

Also: Antimonite, Antimony Glance

Hardness: 2
Luster: Metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces
Streak: Lead-gray
Transparency: Opaque

Is this stibnite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch stibnite with a known reference. Stibnite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: lead-gray.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: lead-gray, steel-gray, blackish-gray, bluish lead gray, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: granular, prismatic, striated.

Often confused with

Stibnite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Arsenopyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5.5-6 vs. 2); streak differs, so Stibnite leaves lead-gray, Arsenopyrite leaves black.

Often found alongside stibnite

Minerals reported to co-occur with stibnite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Sb₂S₃
Mohs hardness: 2
Density: 4.63 g/cm³
Colors: Lead-gray Steel-grayBlackish-grayBluish lead grayBlack
Streak: Lead-gray
Luster: Metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Crystal habit: Granular, prismatic, striated
Cleavage: Perfect and easy on {010}; imperfect on {100} and {110}
Rarity: Common
Uses: Collector, Ore of antimony
Host rock: Of hydrothermal origin, formed in veins through a wide range of temperatures

Where rockhounds find stibnite

8 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

White Caps mine, Manhattan district, Nye Co., and the Murray mine, Independence Mountains district, Elko Co., Nevada, USA
San José and other mines, Oruro, Bolivia
Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, and near Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Kremnica (Kremnitz) and Banská Štiavnica (Schemnitz), Slovakia
Příbram, Czech Republic
Baia Sprie (Felsőbánya) and Herja (Kisbánya), Baia Mare (Nagybánya) district, Romania

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, formed in veins through a wide range of temperatures. If you start seeing realgar, orpiment, cinnabar in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, prismatic, striated. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Idaho, Washington, Arizona. Start trip planning there.

Browse 8 U.S. spots for stibnite →

More stibnite photos

Common questions

How do you identify stibnite?+

Mohs hardness is 2. Luster: metallic, splendent on cleavage surfaces. The streak is lead-gray. Common colors include lead-gray, steel-gray, blackish-gray, bluish lead gray.

Where is stibnite found?+

Notable localities include White Caps mine, Manhattan district, Nye Co., and the Murray mine, Independence Mountains district, Elko Co., Nevada, USA; San José and other mines, Oruro, Bolivia; Wolfsberg, Harz Mountains, and near Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany; Kremnica (Kremnitz) and Banská Štiavnica (Schemnitz), Slovakia; Příbram, Czech Republic.

Can I find stibnite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 8 stibnite rockhounding spots across 6 U.S. states. The top states are Idaho, Washington, Arizona.

Is stibnite safe to handle?+

Stibnite contains antimony. Contains antimony, which is toxic if ingested or inhaled as dust. Wash hands thoroughly after handling and avoid grinding or breaking specimens to prevent dust inhalation.

What rocks look like stibnite?+

Stibnite is most often confused with Bismuthinite, Arsenopyrite, Galena. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with stibnite?+

Stibnite commonly co-occurs with Realgar, Orpiment, Cinnabar, Galena, Lead sulfantimonides, Pyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does stibnite form in?+

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin, formed in veins through a wide range of temperatures. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is stibnite used for?+

Stibnite is used in collector, ore of antimony.

Find stibnite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.