TERRIUM — A mineralogy cabinet

Valentinita

Valentinita is a mineral with formula Sb₂O₃, in the Óxidos group. This specimen comes from Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Loudi, Hunan, China and joined the Terrium collection in 2012.

Valentinita from Xikuangshan Sb deposit, Loudi, Hunan, China — Terrium

Description

Radial aggregates of acicular crystals, white to pale yellow, lining cavities in a siliceous matrix; silky lustre; well-defined sprays. Under UV light they appear soft red.

History of this specimen

Piece from the small 2012 occurrence at Xikuangshan. Since then no comparable finds have been reported. But to my taste... I paid too much for it. It is true that it is well regarded and that I bought it below market price, but in reality... it is neither here nor there. OK, it is an Asteris Explosio, and yes, it is very rare, but the pom-poms are not perfect. Some of the sprays are damaged, and frankly it does not excite me. I paid out of the urge to buy. Beware of that.

About Valentinita

Antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃), a dimorph of senarmontite. Much less common than the latter, it forms in oxidation zones of stibnite. It typically occurs as acicular or lamellar aggregates, white to yellowish, with silky to vitreous lustre.

About the locality

The Xikuangshan mine in Hunan is known as the largest antimony mine in the world. In addition to massive stibnite, it has occasionally produced specimens of high mineralogical value, such as the 2012 valentinite aggregates, much sought after for their rarity.

Technical data

Catalogue No.
0179
Composition
Sb₂O₃
Name
Valentinita
Group
Óxidos
Category
Asteris Explosio
Matrix
Chert
Mine
Xikuangshan Sb deposit
District / Municipality
Loudi
Province
Hunan
Country
China
Size (cm)
8 x 5.5 x 5
Weight
150 g
Acquired
2012
Etymology
In honour of "Basilio Valentín" (Basil Valentine), a European alchemist.
Quality
Muy buena
Value trend
Al alza

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