 Antimony is a chemical element with symbol Sb ( from Latin : stibium ) and atomic number 51 . A lustrous gray metalloid , it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite ( Sb2S3 ) . Antimony compounds have been known since ancient times and were used for cosmetics ; metallic antimony was also known , but it was erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery . In the West , it was first isolated by Vannoccio Biringuccio and described in 1540 , although in primitive cultures its powder has been used to cure eye ailments , as also for eye shadow , since time immemorial , and is often referred to by its Arabic name , kohl . 
 Antimony <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>a chemical element with symbol Sb ( from Latin : stibium ) and atomic number 51 . A lustrous gray metalloid , it is found in nature mainly as the sulfide mineral stibnite ( Sb2S3 ) . Antimony compounds <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>have</mark></a> been known since ancient times and <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> used for cosmetics ; metallic antimony was also known , but it was erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery . In the West , it was first isolated by Vannoccio Biringuccio and described in 1540 , although in primitive cultures its powder <a href='been_done' title='4'><mark>has</mark></a> been used to cure eye ailments , as also for eye shadow , since time immemorial , and is often referred to by its Arabic name , kohl . 
Antimony a chemical element with symbol Sb ( from Latin : stibium ) and atomic number 51 . A lustrous gray metalloid , it is found in nature mainly as da sulfide mineral stibnite ( Sb2S3 ) . Antimony compounds done been known since ancient times and was used for cosmetics ; metallic antimony was also known , but it was erroneously identified as lead upon its discovery . In tdaWest , it was first isolated by Vannoccio Biringuccio and described in 1540 , although in primitive cultures its powder done been used to cure eye ailments , as also for eye shadow , since time immemorial , and is often referred to by its Arabic name , kohl .