Cobaltite
Cobaltite is a sulfarsenic / arsenide sulfide mineral known for its striking metallic crystals, with known Chinese sources.
About Cobaltite
Cobaltite is classified as a sulfarsenic / arsenide sulfide mineral in the cobaltite group and has the chemical formula CoAsS. It crystallizes in the isometric system and has a distinctive metallic presence in any collection.
Identification & care
Specimens usually show cubic, octahedral, pyritohedral crystals (mimics pyrite habit); massive; granular. Its color is typically silver-white, steel gray and with reddish tint. The luster is metallic, the streak is grayish black, and specimens are typically opaque. The cleavage is perfect on {100}, {010}, {001} — cubic cleavage. The fracture is uneven, which aids identification.
Collector context
Collector notes
In the metallic-crystal category, Cobaltite is a consistent target for serious collectors. Cobaltite is widely represented across Chinese provinces, including Yunnan, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia, Tibet.