While on very rare occasions nature yields up relatively pure specimens of antimony, this element has been known since ancient times from its chief ore stibnite. The spindly, black mineral was powdered and used as outliner by Egyptian fashionistas as well as for its reputed medicinal properties by other cultures. From then on into the modern age many applications were noted for stibnite in various parts of the world.

In its pure form antimony is a blindingly shiny pseudo metal resembling chrome. It looks the part but is brittle and crumbly so can’t be easily formed into objects.