Its name originates from Greek stíbi (στίβι), 'antimony' and kónis (κόνις), 'powder', alluding to its composition and habit.

It was first described in 1862 for an occurrence in the Brandholz – Goldkronach District, Fichtel Mountains, Bavaria, Germany.

[3] It occurs as a secondary alteration product of other hydrothermal antimony minerals such as stibnite.

It occurs in association with cervantite, valentinite, kermesite, native antimony and stibnite.

[4] This article about a specific oxide mineral is a stub.