Cobaltite
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Description
A silvery white mineral that is an important cobalt ore. Cobaltite is a combined sulfur and arsenic salt of cobalt. It is mined in Canada (Ontario), Zaire, Azerbaijan, India (Rajasthan), England, Norway, and Sweden (Tunaberg). Cobaltite has a metallic luster with a grayish black streak. It is brittle and fractures irregularly.
Synonyms and Related Terms
cobalt glance; cobaltite (Fr.); cobaltita (Esp.); Kobaltglanz (Deut.); cobaltiet (Ned.)
Risks
- Inhalation of dust is toxic.
Physical and Chemical Properties
- Isometric crystalline system, often found as cubes.
- Fracture = uneven; brittle.
- Cleavage =perfect in one direction.
- Luster = metallic.
- Streak = grayish black.
| Composition | CoAsS |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 |
| Density | 6-6.3 g/ml |
Resources and Citations
- Mineralogy Database: Cobaltite
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "cobaltite" [Accessed December 11, 2001
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979