 |
Chemical Formula | Sb |
|
Composition | Antimony, usually with small amounts of arsenic, iron, silver, and sulfur |
|
Variable Formula | (Sb,As) ; (Sb,As,Fe,Ag,S) |
|
Color | Tin-white, with a very light blue tinge. Oxidizes gray to dark gray, and blue tinge is indiscernible when oxidized. |
|
Streak | Black |
|
Hardness | 3 - 4 |
|
Crystal Forms and Aggregates |
(Hexagonal) Antimony is mostly found mammilary, stalactitic, massive, radiating, and as crusts. Crystals, which are pseudocubic, are very rare. |
|
Transparency | Opaque |
|
Specific Gravity | 6.6 - 6.7 |
|
Luster | Metallic |
|
Cleavage | 1,1 - basal. Cleavage is rarely seen since crystals are rare. |
|
Fracture | Uneven |
|
Tenacity | Brittle |
|
Other ID Marks | Tarnishes dark gray |
|
Other Names |  Native Antimony |
|
In Group | Native elements ; Semi-metallic elements |
|
All About | Antimony always contains some arsenic, but
may also contain silver, iron, and sulfur. On a fresh or
preserved surface, Antimony has a tin-white color with a
slight blue tinge. Otherwise, it is dark gray due to
tarnish. Antimony and Arsenic are almost identical. In many instances, the only way to tell them apart is by conducting complex scientific tests. Stibarsen, a mixture of arsenic and antimony, is also indistinguishable through common methods. |
|
Uses | Antimony is a minor ore
of the element antimony, although most antimony comes
from antimony compounds (namely Stibnite), which
are much greater in abundance. Antimony has a very interesting property: Similar to water, instead of contracting when it solidifies, like all other matter, it expands. For this reason, it is useful industrially: It is mixed with other metals when a consistent size is required through large temperature ranges -- mostly in anti-friction bearings. Antimony is also used in medicinal research, and is used as a dye to color glass. |
|
Striking Features | Tarnish, form, and low hardness |
|
Popularity (1-4) | 3 |
|
Prevalence (1-3) | 3 |
|
Demand (1-3) | 2 |
|
Distinguishing Similar Minerals |
Arsenic and Stibarsen are indistinguishable from Arsenic through common testing methods, and can only be distinguished with complex scientific tests. |
|
Commonly Occurs With |
Arsenic, Stibnite, Sphalerite, Nickeline |
|
Noteworthy Localities |
Antimony occurs in large amounts in the Black Forest and Harz Mountains of Germany. It also occurs in Chaleuches, Dauphine, France; in Seinajoki, Vassa, Finland; in Transvaal, South Africa; in Torrington, New South Wales, Australia; and in Illimaussaq, Greenland. It is rare in north America, but huge chunks occur in several mines in the Erskine Creek area, near Kernville, Kern Co., California. It has also been found in North America at Arechuyobo, Chihuahua, Mexico, and in Canada at South Ham, Wolfe Co., Quebec, and York Co., New Brunswick. |
|
Picture Icon Links |
Sorry. No Images currently available. |
|
Picture Links | Sorry. No Images currently available. |
