Lengshuijiang Antimony Mine

Lengshuijiang — the world's largest antimony deposit

The Lengshuijiang antimony district in central Hunan Province (also referred to as Xikuangshan) is the single largest known antimony deposit on Earth, accounting for a significant share of historical world production. For collectors, it is the benchmark source for sharp, undamaged acicular and prismatic stibnite (Sb₂S₃) crystals.

Geological setting

Lengshuijiang is a low-temperature epithermal antimony deposit hosted in Devonian carbonates. The hydrothermal vein systems formed at relatively shallow depths, which is one reason the stibnite here has such well-preserved crystal habits — high-temperature antimony deposits typically yield massive ore, not crystallized specimens.

What Lengshuijiang is known for

• Acicular stibnite "needle" clusters with metallic luster
• Prismatic and columnar stibnite crystals
• Stibnite + calcite + barite associations
• Larger stibnite "blade" specimens (5–25 cm range)

Typical specimen style

Crystals are highly elongated, with the characteristic perfect cleavage that defines the species; metallic luster is silver-grey, sometimes with faint blue iridescent tarnish. Matrix is usually crystalline calcite, occasionally with associated barite.

Collector value

Mid-2000s through mid-2010s pockets produced some of the best modern stibnite. Crystal sharpness, freedom from cleavage damage, and matrix integrity drive value. Large undamaged pieces with metallic luster and minimal tarnish are particularly sought after.

Care notes

Stibnite tarnishes slowly in humid environments. Store with a desiccant in low-light display, and avoid direct contact with sulfur-laden materials. Do not clean with acidic solutions.

From our inventory

Browse all Lengshuijiang specimens or jump to our stibnite buying guide.