ANTIMONY COST SERIAL NUMBER

Its trigonal crystallization pattern is evident in our ingots and is similar to that seen in our tellurium ingots. These ingots are lightly polished, similar to the one pictured.

ANTIMONY COST SERIAL NUMBER

Inscribed on our ingots are the chemical symbol (Sb), purity (99.99%), weight (one troy ounce), and a serial number (this number is unique and will vary). This may indicate future price volatility. It sits high on the 'risk list' published by the British Geologic Survey (see below link) as do several of our other metals. It also has growing uses in microelectronics. It is predominantly used in flame retardant compounds, in lead batteries, and in other alloys either with lead or with other metals to produce lead free products such as solders and bullets. It has been estimated that about 80 or 90% of worldwide antimony production comes from China and that established global reserves of this metal may be depleted in as few as 13 years. The ore called stibnite is the predominant ore from which antimony is produced and where it chemical symbol Sb originated.

The first naturally occurring pure antimony metal was discovered in 1783 by Anto von Swab in the Sala Silver Mine in Sweden. The procedure to obtain its pure metallic form was first described in the posthumously released book 'De la Pirotechnia' in 1540 by Italian metallurgist Vannoccio Biringuccio. One of the earliest uses of its sulfide was as an eye cosmetic in Egypt as early as 3100 BC with the advent of the cosmetic palette. Antimony has been used since ancient times.

Antimony cost