Valentinite is a secondary mineral that typically forms as an oxidation product of stibnite in hydrothermal veins. Collectors look for its characteristic adamantine luster and bladed or tabular crystal habits, which are often found in crusts or radiating aggregates.
Is this valentinite?
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 valentinite with a known reference. Valentinite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Valentinite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Valentinite typically shows a adamantine luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: white, colorless, gray, yellowish.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, prismatic, bladed, often radiating or granular.
Often confused with
Valentinite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Valentinite leaves white, Stibnite leaves lead-gray; luster reads adamantine on Valentinite and metallic on Stibnite.
How to tell apart: Luster reads adamantine on Valentinite and vitreous on Claudetite.
Often found alongside valentinite
Minerals reported to co-occur with valentinite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂O₃
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.7-5.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular Crystals, Prismatic, Bladed, Often Radiating or Granular
- Cleavage
- Perfect in One Direction
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Zones of Antimony-bearing Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $15-150 depending on specimen quality and size
Where rockhounds find valentinite
Classic worldwide localities
- Algeria
- Germany
- Czech Republic
- France
- Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized zones of antimony-bearing hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where valentinite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, senarmontite, kermesite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a tabular crystals, prismatic, bladed, often radiating or granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find valentinite on the map
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