Cobaltite

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