Stibiconite
Antimony oxide mineral
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stibiconite, also formerly known as stiblite[5]: 372 or antimony ochre[6]: 118 is an antimony oxide mineral with formula: Sb3O6(OH). Its name originates from Greek stíbi (στίβι), 'antimony' and kónis (κόνις), 'powder', alluding to its composition and habit.[2][3][4] It is a member of the pyrochlore super group.
| Stibiconite | |
|---|---|
| |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Formula | Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| IMA symbol | Sbc[1] |
| Strunz classification | 4.DH.20 |
| Crystal system | Isometric |
| Crystal class | Hexoctahedral (m3m) H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m) |
| Space group | Fd3m |
| Unit cell | a = 10.27 Å; Z = 8 |
| Identification | |
| Formula mass | 478.25 g/mol |
| Color | Pale yellow to yellowish white, reddish white, orange; gray, brown, black when impure |
| Crystal habit | Massive, botryoidal, as incrustations, powdery |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Uneven |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4–5 |
| Luster | Vitreous to dull |
| Streak | light yellow |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 4.1 – 5.8, Average = 4.94 |
| Optical properties | Isotropic |
| Refractive index | n = 1.6–1.97 |
| References | [2][3][4] |
Discovery and occurrence
It was first described in 1862 for an occurrence in the Brandholz – Goldkronach District, Fichtel Mountains, Bavaria, Germany.[3]
It occurs as a secondary alteration product of other hydrothermal antimony minerals such as stibnite. It occurs in association with cervantite, valentinite, kermesite, native antimony and stibnite.[4]