A favorite of 17th century alchemists, antimony was treated as a mysterious substance and made into equally mysteriously named concoctions like Lupus Metallorum, Powder of Algaroth and Kermes’ Mineral. The history books do not however list how many alchemists paid for their folly in dabbling with the dark arts of antimony’s chemistry by being cast into a bonfire.

Skipping to modern times we find that this metalloid combines the shine and luster of stainless steel with the crumbly nature of chalk or Parmesan cheese. Antimony is a widely available alloying agent whose industrial demand has been growing year over year as it finds new uses.

CAS 7440-36-0