Tucson, Ariz.— A significant addition to the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum’s permanent collection is now open for public viewing: a sizable specimen of the rare mineral stibnite.
The unveiling of this remarkable piece coincided with the annual Tucson gem and minerals shows, celebrated with a reception on Jan. 25 at the museum.
Originating from the Wuling Mine in the Jiangxi province of southeastern China and unearthed in 2003, the specimen was generously donated by Robert Lavinsky, a distinguished mineral collector and advocate for science education.
Stibnite, a compound of antimony and sulfur, traces its origins back approximately 130 million years, as described by the museum. It exhibits an opaque, metallic gray appearance characterized by elongated, spear-like prismatic crystals.
Measuring 39.5 inches in length, 16.5 inches in width, and 17 inches in thickness, the donated specimen is exceptionally rare for its size, intricacy, and quality, according to the museum. Appraisers note that only a handful of such specimens exist worldwide, all sourced from the Wuling Mine in the early 2000s.
Due to its brittleness and softness, stibnite possesses a Mohs hardness scale rating of 2 out of 10, making intact stibnite crystals a rarity.
The mineral’s historical significance spans centuries. Ancient Egyptians utilized powdered stibnite as eyeshadow and for treating eye infections as early as 3100 B.C. In ancient Rome, stibnite was associated with Pluto, the ruler of the underworld. Later, the Prophet Muhammad attributed vision-clearing and hair growth properties to stibnite.
In 1832, French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant officially christened the mineral “stibnite,” derived from the Latin word “stibium,” meaning antimony.
“The rare and intricately beautiful stibnite specimen serves as a valuable educational tool, inspiring curiosity and exploration in the realms of geology, chemistry, and natural history,” remarked Violetta Wolf, director of the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum.
Expressing gratitude for Lavinsky’s donation, University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins emphasized the specimen’s transformative impact on the museum’s global standing and its role in providing an unparalleled educational experience.
Robert Lavinsky, in addition to his support for the University of Arizona, is the owner, founder, and president of The Arkenstone, an online mineral purveyor, and the Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium. He is renowned as a mineral dealer, collector, and consultant, collaborating with museums and private collectors worldwide. Lavinsky has made significant contributions to mineral education and has donated to prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas, and several museums in China, among others.
In recognition of Lavinsky’s contributions, a rare copper mineral from South Africa has been named “lavinskyite” in his honor. Furthermore, Lavinsky has donated a stibnite specimen to the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University.
Lavinsky shared his sentiment, stating, “Both Yale and the University of Arizona share my vision of a ‘beauty first’ approach to education, showcasing valuable mineral specimens as inspirational natural artworks.”
John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation, lauded Lavinsky’s donation as a significant addition to the museum’s mineral collection, affirming the Alfie Norville Gem and Mineral Museum’s status as a treasure for both the university and the Tucson community.
