Micro-nugget ~0.53x0.44x0.15 mm of pure, analytically confirmed by microprobe Stistaite (SnSb) from placer of Edzhei river, Kuraminskie Mts, Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range, NE Uzbekistan. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stistaite
Stistaite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula SnSb.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group Fm3m). It is a member of the Rocksalt structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 5.59.
IMA symbol Sst, IMA status: approved, named in 1969.
Found in concentrates from placer deposits from a region of Silurian shaly-sandy sediments (Elkiaidai River, Uzbekistan); in concentrates from precious metal placers (Rio Tamaná, Colombia).
It is found associated with Tin, zircon, “leucoxene”, rutile, apatite, barite, celestine, scheelite, cinnabar (Elkiaidai River, Uzbekistan); tin, sorosite, herzenbergite, cassiterite.
The name refers to the composition, from Greek STIbium, antimony, and STAnnum, tin.