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Botryoidal Stibarsen Vein

The Mineral stibarsen




Stibarsen is a natural mixture of the elements arsenic and antimony, and its name is a combination of stibium (which is the latin name for antimony), and arsenic. Allemontite, another name for this mineral, is usually used to describe the ratio percentage of antimony to arsenic. Allemontite is named after Allemont, France, an important locality for this mineral. 

Any mixture of arsenic and antimony that constitutes 80% or more of one element is classified as that element. For example, a specimen with a ratio of 80% arsenic and 20% antimony is recognized as Arsenic. Conversely, a specimen with 80% antimony and 20% arsenic is recognized as Antimony. Any combination with less than 80% of either arsenic or antimony is classified as Stibarsen.
Chemical Formula AsSb
Composition A mixture of arsenic and antimony
Color Tin-white to gray
Streak Dark gray
Hardness 3 - 4
Crystal System Hexagonal
Crystal Forms
and Aggregates		 Usually occurs massive, but tiny, microcrystalline plates and pseudocubes also occur. Also botryoidal, reniform, and globular.
Transparency Opaque
Specific Gravity 6.0
Luster Metallic
Cleavage 1,1 - basal. Cleavage is rarely seen since crystal faces are so uncommon.
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Brittle
Other ID Marks Tarnishes dark gray
In Group Native Elements; Semi-Metallic Elements
Striking Features Tarnish, streak, and odor
Environment Occurs in mesothermal veins.
Rock Type Metamorphic
Popularity (1-4) 4
Prevalence (1-3) 3
Demand (1-3) 2


Stibarsen AUCTIONS

VARIETIES
 -  Any mixture of arsenic and antimony, including Stibarsen.
(Allemontite is not scientifically recognized as a mineral species, but rather a descriptive name.)
 -  Allemontite with a greater content of antimony than arsenic.
 -  Allemontite that has an equal quantity of antimony and arsenic.
 -  Allemontite with a greater content of arsenic than antimony.



NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES
Stibarsen has come from the Canada at the Engineer mine, Atlin, British Columbia; and at the Hemlo Gold deposit near Lake Superior in Ontario. In Europe, specimens have come from Allemont and Chelenches (Dauphine), France; and Pribram, Bohemia, Czech Republic. Lustrous botryoidal forms come from Mexico at Moctezuma, Sonora.

U.S. occurrences of Stibarsen are the Ophir Mine, in the Comstock Lode, Storey Co., Nevada; and at American Eagle, Gunnison Co., Colorado.

COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS
Quartz, Antimony, Arsenic, Siderite

DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS
Antimony and Arsenic are indistinguishable from Allemontite / Stibarsen through common testing methods; the only way to distinguish them is through complex scientific tests.


stibarsen PHOTOS
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
 
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