Clinocervantite

Chemical formula: Sb<sup>3+</sup>Sb<sup>5+</sup>O<sub>4</sub>

Clinocervantite is a rare antimony oxide, the monoclinic analogue of cervantite, most often forming yellowish coatings and crusts.

## Characteristics Clinocervantite is a rare, secondary antimony oxide, representing a monoclinic polymorphic variety of cervantite. It usually occurs in the form of earthy or powdery coatings, as well as crusts and fibrous aggregates. It is rarely observed as small, tabular or prismatic crystals, which reach sizes of up to several millimeters. ## Physical properties This mineral is characterized by a hardness in the range of 4-5 on the Mohs scale. Its luster is variable, from resinous and greasy on crystal surfaces, to dull or earthy in the case of massive aggregates. It is an opaque mineral, only translucent in very thin fragments. It has a high density, approximately 6.5 g/cm³, which is noticeable even in small specimens. ## Colors and varieties Clinocervantite ranges in color from creamy white, through light yellow and canary yellow, to grayish white. There are no named color or commercial varieties. ## History and name The mineral was officially recognized by the IMA in 1995. Its name refers to the crystallographic system – "clino" refers to the monoclinic system – and to its chemical and structural similarity to orthorhombic cervantite. It was described by a group of Italian mineralogists: Paolo Orlandi, Marco Pasero, Nicola Cipriani, and Marcello Mellini. ## Applications Due to its rarity and occurrence in small quantities, clinocervantite has no industrial application. It is solely an object of scientific and collecting interest.

Properties

Mohs hardness
4-5
Luster
Resinous, Greasy, Earthy
Streak
Light yellow
Density
6.5
Cleavage
Perfect on {010}
Fracture
Uneven
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Crystal system
Monoclinic

Diagnostic features

## Identification Helpful identification features include: yellowish color, high density, secondary nature (occurrence in oxidation zones of antimony deposits), and co-occurrence with other antimony minerals, especially stibnite. Luster can range from resinous to earthy. ## Distinguishing from similar minerals Visual distinction of clinocervantite from its orthorhombic dimorph, cervantite, is practically impossible without advanced research methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD). It can also be confused with other secondary, yellow antimony minerals, such as stibiconite or bindheimite. Certain identification requires laboratory analysis. ## Crystal forms Most often, it forms earthy, powdery, reniform, or fibrous aggregates. Well-formed crystals are very rare and appear as small, prismatic or tabular forms up to several millimeters long.

Geological environment

## Genesis Clinocervantite is a secondary mineral, formed in the oxidation (weathering) zones of hydrothermal antimony ore deposits. It forms as a result of transformations of primary minerals, mainly stibnite. ## Mineral associations It most often co-occurs with minerals from which it forms or which accompany it in the oxidation process. These are primarily: stibnite, cervantite, valentinite, senarmontite, and minerals from the stibiconite group. ## Localities The most important and classic occurrence is the type locality – the Cetine di Cotorniano mine in Tuscany, Italy. It is also known from several localities in Germany (e.g., in Rhineland-Palatinate) and from the Pezinok antimony deposit in Slovakia.

Rarity

Very rare

For collectors

## Quality criteria The most highly valued specimens are those with well-formed, even if microscopic, crystals with a distinct luster and intense, yellow color. The abundance of the aggregate on the rock matrix and its association with other rare antimony minerals are also of great importance. Specimens in the form of coatings are much more common and less valued. ## Popular localities The most valuable and classic specimens are considered to be those from the type locality in the Cetine di Cotorniano mine in Italy. Most of the best-formed crystals of this mineral come from there.

Care and storage

## Cleaning Clinocervantite specimens, especially those of an earthy and porous nature, are delicate. They should be cleaned only dry, using a soft brush to remove dust. For more compact aggregates, careful cleaning with distilled water is permissible, but a strong stream of water should be avoided. The use of ultrasonic cleaners is prohibited. ## What to avoid The mineral is relatively soft, so it should be protected from scratching by harder minerals (e.g., quartz). Contact with acids and other aggressive chemicals should be avoided. It is stable under normal conditions and is not sensitive to light. ## Storage It is recommended to store specimens in separate, sealed display boxes to avoid abrasions and mechanical damage. Protect from dust, which can be difficult to remove from porous aggregates.

External references

Sources

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