The facts
What stibnite actually is
The species behind stibnite is stibnite, Sb₂S₃; it forms in the orthorhombic system.
Metallic; lead-grey to steel-grey with a brilliant metallic lustre, often iridescent when tarnished is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a specific gravity of about 4.63, with perfect {010} cleavage.
Where stibnite comes from
Commercial material comes from Ichinokawa Mine, Shikoku, Japan, Wuning (Wuling) Mine, Jiangxi, China, Baia Sprie and Herja, Romania and Lushi, Henan, China.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How stibnite is treated
Untreated, but the famous giant Chinese blades are very commonly repaired or reglued and complete undamaged specimens are worth many times a restored one — always ask. Antimony sulphide; historically used as kohl eye cosmetic, which was a poor idea.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What stibnite is confused with
Watch for Bournonite, Galena, Manganite, Jamesonite and Enargite — these are what turn up sold under this name.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 4.63, hardness of 2, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What stibnite is used for
The trades that buy stibnite are mineral collecting, heavy industry and metallurgy. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the tonne.
Durability and care
Stibnite is 2 on the Mohs scale, with perfect {010} cleavage.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What stibnite costs
Expect roughly Specimens $30–$25,000; museum-grade Chinese sprays far higher, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is stibnite treated, and how?
Untreated, but the famous giant Chinese blades are very commonly repaired or reglued and complete undamaged specimens are worth many times a restored one — always ask. Antimony sulphide; historically used as kohl eye cosmetic, which was a poor idea.
Where does stibnite come from?
Ichinokawa Mine, Shikoku, Japan, Wuning (Wuling) Mine, Jiangxi, China, Baia Sprie and Herja, Romania and Lushi, Henan, China. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is stibnite hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does stibnite cost?
Indicatively Specimens $30–$25,000; museum-grade Chinese sprays far higher. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is stibnite confused with?
Most often Bournonite, Galena, Manganite, Jamesonite and Enargite. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 4.63, hardness and magnification.
What is stibnite used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, heavy industry and metallurgy. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for stibnite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about stibnite