| Stibiconite | |
|---|---|
) Stibiconite. Locality: Catorce (Real de Catorce), Municipio de Catorce, San Luis Potosí, Mexico (Locality at mindat.org) | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Sb3+Sb5+2O6(OH) |
| 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 | Clay-like |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4-5 |
| Luster | Vitreous - 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 | [1][2][3] |
Stibiconite is an antimony oxide mineral with formula: Sb3O6(OH). Its name originates from Greek "stibi" (antimony) and "konis" (powder), alluding to its composition and habit.[1][2][3] 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, Fichtelgebirge, Franconia, Bavaria.[2]
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.[3]
References
- ^ a b "Stibiconite". Webminerals. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ a b c "Stibiconite". Mindat. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ a b c Handbook of Mineralogy