Mineralpedia Details for Kermesite
Kermesite
Named for the old word given to red amorphous antimony trisulfide, kermes, which gets its origin from the Persian word qurmizq, which means “crimson.” Kermesite is an uncommon, but widespread mineral that can be found in localities in Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, France, Italy, Russia, Bolivia, Australia, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Canada, and others. It occurs as an alteration of stibnite in antimony deposits.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/kermesite.pdf
- Formula
- Sb2OS2
- Crystal System
- Triclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Fibrous, Acicular, Radial
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Color
- violet red, cherry red, red
- Streak
- brownish red
- Class
- Triclinic - Pinacoidal
- Fracture
- Brittle
- Hardness
- 1.5-2
- WebMineral
- View Kermesite
- Mindat
- View Kermesite
Kermesite from Bräunsdorf, Freiberg dist., Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Deep red acicular crystals to 1mm in vuggy matrix.
Kermesite from Lac Nicolet Antimony mine, Quebec, Canada
Red-purple bladed Kermesite crystals.
Kermesite from Pezinok, Bratislava, Slovakia
Metallic purplish-red crystal sprays to 1cm and more in tight, protected vug.
Deep red acicular, divergent groups of Kermesite.The sprays are up to 1cm.
