It is a soft, metallic grey crystalline solid with an orthorhombic space group.

It is the most important source for the metalloid antimony. The name is derived from the Greek στίβι stibi through the Latin stibium as the former name for the mineral and the element antimony.

Stibnite occurs in hydrothermal deposits and is associated with realgar, orpiment, cinnabar, galena, pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, cervantite, stibiconite, calcite, ankerite, barite and chalcedony.

Small deposits of stibnite are common, but large deposits are rare. The world's largest deposit of antimony, the Xikuangshan Mine, yields high quality crystals in paragenesis with calcite.

Stibnite occurs in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Japan, Germany, Romania, Italy, France, England, Algeria, and Kalimantan, Borneo. In the United States it is found in Arkansas, Idaho, Nevada, California, and Alaska.

Historically, the Romans used stibnite mined in Dacia to make colourless glass, the making of which ended when this province was lost to the Roman Empire.

As of May 2007, the largest specimen on public display (1000 pounds) is at the American Museum of Natural History.

The largest documented single crystals of stibnite measured ~60×5×5 cm and originated from different locations including Japan, France and Germany.

Metaphysical Healers say Stibnite brings one a totally new outlook on life for the better.

Stibnite assists in helping to adjust to the constant changes that are faced on a daily basis. It alleviates fears, difficulties and chaos.

Stibnite can help to stabilise one’s economy. This is a strong stone to aid one to bring life’s desires. It is also said that it may have the potential to bring great wealth and power.