STIBNITE CRYSTALS - Ayrshire, Scotland

Stibnite is a grey sulphide mineral which forms in lustrous masses, blades or slender crystals. It is the most important source of the element antimony.

Knipe mine is situated in a remote mountain valley south-east of New Cumnock. It was originally opened as a trial for antimony in the nineteenth century. The antimony ore body is associated with a small granite intrusion into Lower Palaeozoic strata.

This is a very rich and lustrous specimen showing silver-coloured crystals of stibnite in quartz. It was collected in the late 1970s or early 1980s and is from an old collection.

Please note: It is advisable to wash your hands after handling stibnite as it is toxic if ingested. This mineral is not suitable for children.

    
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