Clinocervantite is a rare monoclinic polymorph of antimony tetroxide, often found as a secondary mineral in oxidized antimony ore deposits. Collectors typically seek it in small, platy crystal aggregates associated with other antimony oxides like stibiconite or valentinite.
Is this clinocervantite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch clinocervantite with a known reference. Clinocervantite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinocervantite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Clinocervantite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals.
Often confused with
Clinocervantite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Clinocervantite and earthy on Cervantite.
How to tell apart: Stibiconite is the harder of the two (Mohs 5-5.5 vs. 4); streak differs, so Clinocervantite leaves white, Stibiconite leaves light yellow; luster reads vitreous on Clinocervantite and pearly to earthy on Stibiconite.
Often found alongside clinocervantite
Minerals reported to co-occur with clinocervantite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Sb₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 6.6 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Oxidized Antimony Deposits
Where rockhounds find clinocervantite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cetine di Cotorniano mine, Siena, central Tuscany, Italy
Field-hunting tip
Look in oxidized antimony deposits country, the host setting where clinocervantite typically forms. If you start seeing stibnite, senarmontite, valentinite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a platy crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clinocervantite?+
Where is clinocervantite found?+
Is clinocervantite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like clinocervantite?+
What minerals are found with clinocervantite?+
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Find clinocervantite on the map
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