Cobaltite (CoAsS) is the cobalt arsenide-sulfide — pyrite-group structurally and visually similar to pyrite but with diagnostic cobalt content. It forms in high-temperature hydrothermal Co-Ni-Ag-As-Bi “five-element” vein assemblages. Tunaberg (Sweden) and Cobalt (Ontario, Canada) supplied historic collector specimens; Bou Azzer (Morocco) is the modern source.
Key Facts
- Mohs hardness 5.5.
- Orthorhombic (pseudo-cubic); pyrite-group structure.
- Silver-white to pinkish-silver color.
- Cubic, octahedral, and pyritohedral crystal habits.
- Forms in Co-Ni-Ag-As-Bi “five-element” hydrothermal veins.
Notable Localities
Tunaberg (Sweden) is the type-locality. Bou Azzer (Morocco) and Cobalt (Ontario) supply modern collector material.
Found at these Localities
- Bou Azzer District (布·阿扎尔钴矿区)
- Erzgebirge / Krušné Hory (埃尔茨山脉/克鲁什内山(德捷边境矿带))
- Tunaberg (图纳贝里钴矿(瑞典))
- Imiter Mine (伊米泰尔银矿)
