Stibnite

specimen number:
2102211

location:
Quien Sabe Mine, San Benito Co., California, USA

description:
Large semi lustrous metallic crystals of stibnite measuring to almost 9.0 cm in size throughout matrix. Some damage present, typical of these, this still very good for the species and locality. According to the previous labels which are shown at the end of the video, this was collected most likely in 1973.

The Quien Sabe Mine, located in the Quien Sabe District of the eastern Diablo Range near Hollister, San Benito County, California, is a notable historic antimony locality. Geologically, the deposit consists of hydrothermal quartz-stibnite veins hosted within Miocene-aged volcanic rocks, primarily andesites and basalts of the Quien Sabe Volcanic Field. These veins formed as metal-rich fluids filled faults and fractures, precipitating stibnite alongside quartz, calcite, and occasionally pyrite. The stibnite from this mine is recognized for its well-crystallized habit, often appearing as lustrous, metallic grey prismatic crystals or dense radiating needle-like aggregates embedded in white quartz. Historically, the mine was discovered in the late 19th century and saw its most significant periods of production during times of high antimony demand, particularly during World War I and World War II. Operations were typically sporadic and small-scale, with most recorded activity occurring between 1870 and 1945. Today, the Quien Sabe Mine remains a significant site for California mineralogy, represented in collections by its characteristic dark, bladed stibnite specimens.

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