Reviews
6.6" Tabular Barite Crystal Cluster with Stibiconite - China
This is a 6.6" wide cluster of tabular, light-yellow barite crystals with stibiconite crystals, collected from the Xikuangshan Sb deposit in Hunan, China. The clarity and luster of these crystals is wonderful, allowing for the interior bi-colored phantoms to be seen in detail.
One edge of the matrix has been cut flat for presentation.
One edge of the matrix has been cut flat for presentation.
About Stibiconite
Stibiconite is a rare secondary antimony oxide-hydroxide mineral with most natural specimens commonly containing variable amounts of iron, calcium, or other elements. It forms through the oxidation and alteration of primary antimony minerals, especially stibnite (Sb₂S₃), in the weathered zones of antimony deposits. Stibiconite typically occurs as earthy masses, botryoidal crusts, or pseudomorphs after stibnite crystals, often preserving the original bladed crystal shape of the stibnite while replacing it internally. Its color ranges from yellow and orange to brownish white, and it commonly has a dull to waxy luster. Important localities include Xikuangshan in China, Wadley in Mexico, and several classic antimony districts in Romania and Bolivia.
Mineralogically, stibiconite is significant because it records the supergene alteration processes that affect antimony ore deposits and often marks the transition between primary sulfide mineralization and oxidized surface environments.
General Chemical Formula - Sb₃O₆(OH)
Toxicity Warning: Stibiconite is an antimony-bearing mineral and can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Most of the risk is long-term, chronic exposure to its dust. While a crystal sitting on your shelf doesn't pose a health risk, you should wash your hands after handling, keep out of reach of children, and please don't lick the stibiconite.
Stibiconite is a rare secondary antimony oxide-hydroxide mineral with most natural specimens commonly containing variable amounts of iron, calcium, or other elements. It forms through the oxidation and alteration of primary antimony minerals, especially stibnite (Sb₂S₃), in the weathered zones of antimony deposits. Stibiconite typically occurs as earthy masses, botryoidal crusts, or pseudomorphs after stibnite crystals, often preserving the original bladed crystal shape of the stibnite while replacing it internally. Its color ranges from yellow and orange to brownish white, and it commonly has a dull to waxy luster. Important localities include Xikuangshan in China, Wadley in Mexico, and several classic antimony districts in Romania and Bolivia.
Mineralogically, stibiconite is significant because it records the supergene alteration processes that affect antimony ore deposits and often marks the transition between primary sulfide mineralization and oxidized surface environments.
General Chemical Formula - Sb₃O₆(OH)
Toxicity Warning: Stibiconite is an antimony-bearing mineral and can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed. Most of the risk is long-term, chronic exposure to its dust. While a crystal sitting on your shelf doesn't pose a health risk, you should wash your hands after handling, keep out of reach of children, and please don't lick the stibiconite.
About the Xikuangshan Sb Deposit
The Xikuangshan Sb deposit in Hunan Province, China, is the world’s largest known antimony deposit and one of the classic hydrothermal mineral localities on Earth. It is famous not only for its immense antimony reserves, but also for spectacular mineral specimens in a layer of Devonian limestone, especially stibnite, calcite, fluorite, and barite.
The Xikuangshan Sb deposit in Hunan Province, China, is the world’s largest known antimony deposit and one of the classic hydrothermal mineral localities on Earth. It is famous not only for its immense antimony reserves, but also for spectacular mineral specimens in a layer of Devonian limestone, especially stibnite, calcite, fluorite, and barite.
$195
SPECIES
Barite & Stibiconite
LOCATION
Xikuangshan Sb Deposit, Lengshuijiang Co., Loudi, Hunan, China
SIZE
6.6 x 3.7"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#362649
