Antimony glance is an ore of the metal antimony, chemical symbol Sb. The word "glance" refers to the shiny appearance of the mineral. The spelling "antimony" comes from the Latin word "antimonium," which in turn comes from the Greek word "antimonos," meaning "against alone." The IPA phonetic transcription of "antimony glance" is /ænˈtɪməni ɡlæns/. The primary stress is on the second syllable of "antimony" and the first syllable of "glance."
Antimony glance, also known as stibnite, is a naturally occurring mineral that is composed of the chemical compound antimony sulfide (Sb2S3). It is a lustrous, metallic grey mineral that has a unique crystalline structure. The name "antimony glance" is derived from its characteristic appearance when freshly broken, which gives it a shiny, glass-like appearance.
Antimony glance is an important source of antimony, a chemical element that is widely used in various industrial applications. It is primarily used as a flame retardant in plastics, textile fibers, and various consumer products. It also finds application in the manufacture of batteries, lead alloys, coatings, and pigments. Furthermore, antimony compounds are used in the production of semi-conductors, flame-proofing agents, and medicines.
The mineral typically occurs as elongated prismatic crystals, often with striations running parallel to the length of the crystal. It has a high density, brittle nature, and a Mohs hardness of 2, which means it is relatively soft and can be easily scratched. Antimony glance is often found in association with other minerals such as quartz, sulfides, and oxides.
Geologically, it is commonly found in hydrothermal veins and sedimentary rocks. Major deposits of antimony glance can be found in countries such as China, Russia, Bolivia, and South Africa. As an important mineral resource, antimony glance is mined and processed to extract antimony metal or antimony compounds for industrial applications.
The term "antimony glance" is not a widely recognized or common term in English. However, there are two possible interpretations based on the words "antimony" and "glance" separately:1. Antimony: The word "antimony" comes from the Latin word "antimonium". This Latin term is believed to have originated from the Greek word "antimonos" which means "against solitude" or "against being alone". This is because the ancient Greeks used antimony compounds as a remedy against being poisoned. Over time, the term "antimonium" was applied specifically to the element we now know as antimony.2. Glance: In this context, "glance" is an old-fashioned term that refers to a sulfide mineral having a brilliant metallic or shiny appearance. The word "glance" itself comes from the Middle English term "glansen" which means to shine or give off reflected light.