Stibnite, sometimes called antimonite,
is a sulfide mineral with the formula Sb2S3. This soft
grey material crystallizes in an orthorhombic space group. It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony.
Detailed description
The
name is from the Greek στίβι stibi through the Latin stibium as the old name for the mineral and
the element antimony.
Uses
Pastes of Sb2S3 powder in fat[6] or
in other materials have been used since ca. 3000 BC as eye cosmetics in the
Middle East and farther afield; in this use, Sb2S3 is called kohl. It was used to darken the brows and lashes, or to
draw a line around the perimeter
of the eye.
Antimony trisulfide finds use in pyrotechnic compositions, namely in the glitter and fountain mixtures. Needle-like
crystals, "Chinese Needle", are used in glitter compositions and
white pyrotechnic stars. The "Dark
Pyro" version is used in flash powders to increase their
sensitivity and sharpen their report. It is also a component of modern safety matches. It was formerly
used in flash compositions, but
its use was abandoned due to toxicity and sensitivity to static electricity.[7]
Stibnite was used ever since protodynastic Ancient Egypt as a medication and
a cosmetic. The Sunan Abi Dawood reports, “prophet Muhammad said:
'Among the best types of collyrium is
antimony (ithmid) for it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.'”[8]
The 17th century alchemist Eirenaeus
Philalethes, also known as George Starkey, describes stibnite in his
alchemical commentary An
Exposition upon Sir George Ripley's Epistle. Starkey used stibnite as a
precursor to philosophical mercury, which was itself a hypothetical precursor
to the Philosopher's
stone
PRICE
$2.23/KG OR $1.01/IB
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