Stibnite with Sulfur, Quartz & Realgar Alteration – Jiangxi Province, China (1.73 kg)

Weight: 1.73 kg
Dimensions: 14 × 13 × 12 cm (5.5 × 5.1 × 4.7 in)
Locality: Jiangxi Province, China
Treatment: All-natural, no repairs or stabilization applied

Quick Highlights

• Architectural sprays of metallic stibnite blades with strong three-dimensional presence.
• Bright yellow sulfur botryoids and coatings adding vivid contrast.
• Earthy red realgar-to-pararealgar alteration in the matrix, telling a clear oxidation story.
• Fine quartz druse and micro-crystalline coatings that add subtle sparkle under light.
• Excellent display size at 1.73 kg with multiple strong viewing angles.

Overview

This impressive multi-mineral cluster from Jiangxi, China captures the full evolution of an antimony-rich hydrothermal system. Dense, metallic stibnite blades rise in dramatic sprays, wrapped in a matrix of sulfur, quartz druse, and vivid red realgar alteration. At 1.73 kilograms, this is a commanding cabinet specimen with serious presence, equally at home in an advanced mineral collection or as the centerpiece of a curated display.

The combination of strong architecture, complex mineral chemistry, and oxidation textures makes this piece both scientifically interesting and visually striking. It is a natural sculpture that reads like a geological timeline carved in metal and color.

Geological Overview

Primary Minerals

• Stibnite (Sb₂S₃) – Sulfide mineral, orthorhombic crystal system; forms the metallic, striated blades that define the specimen.
• Sulfur (S) – Native element, orthorhombic; present as bright yellow botryoidal and granular coatings along crystal faces.
• Quartz (SiO₂) – Silicate, hexagonal; appears as fine druse and micro-crystalline overgrowths that soften and stabilize surfaces.
• Realgar → Pararealgar (As₄S₄) – Arsenic sulfide undergoing natural alteration; responsible for the warm red and pink earthy zones in the matrix.

Formation Story

This specimen began in a low-temperature hydrothermal vein system where hot, antimony- and sulfur-rich fluids moved through fractures in the host rock. As these fluids cooled, stibnite crystallized first, forming long, metallic blades that radiate from the core of the piece. Sulfur later precipitated in the same cavities, creating yellow botryoidal coatings and powdery drapes over the stibnite.

With time, oxygenated groundwater infiltrated the deposit, shifting conditions from reducing to oxidizing. Under these new conditions, realgar formed in fractures and cavities and then began to alter naturally into pararealgar, producing the red to pink earthy material visible throughout the matrix. Quartz druse precipitated during later hydrothermal pulses, lining surfaces with a fine “sugary” sparkle and adding structural stability.

The result is a specimen that records three distinct stages of mineral evolution: primary sulfide formation, volatile-rich sulfur deposition, and oxidation with realgar alteration and quartz overgrowth.

Aesthetic Appeal

Visually, this piece is all about architecture and contrast. Stibnite blades form a compact yet highly three-dimensional spray, creating deep cavities and sharp ridgelines. Sulfur’s bright yellows flash across the metallic blades, while the quartz druse adds a fine crystalline shimmer when the specimen is rotated under light. Patches of red realgar alteration warm the palette and draw the eye into the interior.

The specimen displays strongly from several angles: upright in a vertical orientation, or slightly tilted to showcase the deepest cavity lined with metallic luster. It has the sculptural presence and color complexity collectors look for in serious stibnite locality pieces.

Metaphysical Properties

For those drawn to the energetic side of minerals, this assemblage is a powerful symbol of transformation and inner restructuring:

• Stibnite is associated with clarity, decisive action, and energetic realignment—supporting bold change and boundaries.
• Sulfur is traditionally linked with purification, helping to clear stagnant or heavy energies from a space or field.
• Realgar (altered) carries themes of inner alchemy, courage, and the surfacing of buried truths and emotions.
• Quartz amplifies and integrates these influences, promoting clarity and cohesion across the entire mineral matrix.

Together, they create a complex but focused energy profile suited to work around deep transformation, energetic cleansing, and step-change decisions.

Rarity & Collectibility

Jiangxi is renowned for high-quality stibnite, but specimens combining stibnite, sulfur, quartz druse, and well-preserved realgar alteration at this size are far less common. Realgar is chemically delicate and often decomposes before it can be collected in an aesthetic state. Here, the red alteration zones are clearly visible and well-integrated into the matrix, adding both color and scientific interest.

The combination of:

• Strong, intact stibnite architecture,
• Vivid sulfur coverage,
• Abundant quartz druse, and
• Visible realgar-to-pararealgar alteration

makes this a highly desirable piece for collectors of Chinese minerals and oxidation-zone assemblages. It would not look out of place in a museum case or advanced private collection.

Collector’s & Display Notes

• Ideal as a centerpiece for a Jiangxi or Chinese sulfide suite.
• Pairs beautifully with fluorite, calcite, or quartz clusters in a cabinet-style display.
• Displays best on a low-profile black or clear acrylic stand to emphasize the vertical spray of blades.
• Warm LED lighting (rather than direct sunlight) will bring out sulfur yellows, red matrix tones, and quartz sparkle without stressing the realgar.

Care & Safety

Professional Safety Note:
This specimen contains natural stibnite (antimony sulfide) and realgar alteration (arsenic sulfide). In solid mineral form, these minerals are stable and safe to handle gently. As with all sulfide minerals, do not grind, crush, or ingest any material. Wash hands after handling, avoid prolonged direct sunlight, and keep away from pets or small children. These simple steps are standard mineral-care guidance and help ensure the long-term preservation of the specimen.  Store in a cool, dry environment, out of direct UV exposure. 

Specifications

• Weight: 1.73 kg
• Dimensions: 14 × 13 × 12 cm (5.5 × 5.1 × 4.7 in)
• Minerals: Stibnite, Sulfur, Quartz, Realgar/Pararealgar (alteration)
• Locality: Jiangxi Province, China
• Treatment: All-natural, no repairs, no stabilization