Stibiconite
Stibiconite. From Catorce, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
General
CategoryOxide minerals
Formula
(repeating unit)		Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH)
IMA symbolSbc[1]
Strunz classification4.DH.20
Crystal systemIsometric
Crystal classHexoctahedral (m3m)
H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m)
Space groupFd3m
Unit cella = 10.27 Å; Z = 8
Identification
Formula mass478.25 g/mol
ColorPale yellow to yellowish white, reddish white, orange; gray, brown, black when impure
Crystal habitMassive, botryoidal, as incrustations, powdery
CleavageNone
FractureUneven
Mohs scale hardness4–5
LusterVitreous to dull
Streaklight yellow
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity4.1 – 5.8, Average = 4.94
Optical propertiesIsotropic
Refractive indexn = 1.6–1.97
References[2][3][4]

Stibiconite 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.

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]

References

  1. ^ Warr, L.N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine. 85 (3): 291–320. Bibcode:2021MinM...85..291W. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. S2CID 235729616.
  2. ^ a b Barthelmy, David (2014). "Stibiconite Mineral Data". Webmineral.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Stibiconite, Mindat.org, retrieved 2009-06-06
  4. ^ a b c Anthony, John W.; Bideaux, Richard A.; Bladh, Kenneth W.; Nichols, Monte C. (2005). "Stibiconite" (PDF). Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineral Data Publishing. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
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