antimoniitti

Antimoniitti is the mineral form of antimony trisulfide, with the chemical formula Sb₂S₃. It is a gray to black, metallic-looking mineral that is soft and brittle. Antimoniitti is often found in hydrothermal veins and hot spring deposits. It is the primary ore of antimony, a metalloid element with various industrial applications, including in flame retardants, batteries, and alloys.

The name "antimoniitti" comes from the Arabic "al-kuhul," meaning "the kohl," which refers to the use of antimony compounds as eye makeup in ancient times. Historically, the element antimony was known for its use in cosmetics and medicines. Antimoniitti itself can be found in various locations worldwide, with notable deposits in China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Bolivia.

In mineralogy, antimoniitti is classified as a sulfide mineral. Its crystal structure is orthorhombic, and it typically forms needle-like or prismatic crystals, often in radiating aggregates or massive forms. While it is the main source of antimony, it is not the only antimony-bearing mineral. However, its abundance and relative ease of extraction make it the most economically significant. The processing of antimoniitti involves smelting to extract the antimony metal.