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What the name means: The name antimony derives from the Greek word, anti monos, which means “not alone”. The Greeks did not think that antimony could be found as the element but only in its compounds. The chemical symbol, first used by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in his notes, is Sb. This derives from the Greek word stibni, meaning “mark”. The Latin word for mark is stibium.

Who identified antimony? Antimony has been known and used since ancient times. Ladies in the East used antimony sulphide, a black compound, as mascara and to darken their eyebrows. The 16^th century alchemist, Georgius Agricula, wrote that he had extracted antimony metal. It was Antoine Lavoisier who recognised antimony as an element.

About antimony: Antimony is quite rare in the Earth’s crust. It can be found as the free element, contrary to what the Greeks believed. However, antimony compounds are found in small quantities in a variety of minerals. Antimony is used to form an alloy with lead to increase its hardness. It is also used in certain paints, enamels and glassware.