Spherocobaltite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
About Spherocobaltite
Formula:
CoCO3
Colour:
Most commonly dark magenta red; sometimes brownish red, greyish red, or velvet-black (due to surface alteraton)
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Specific Gravity:
4.13
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Member of:
Name:
Named by Albin Weisbach in 1877 from Greek "sphaira", sphere, plus cobalt, alluding to its habit and composition.
Calcite Group.
Often confused with cobalt-bearing calcite or cobalt-bearing dolomite.
NOTE: This is the correct and approved IMA spelling ("sphaerocobaltite" is incorrect). Palache, Berman, and Frondel (1954) list this species as "cobaltocalite" and a confusion is common between the former "cobaltocalcite" and "cobalt-bearing calcite".
Often confused with cobalt-bearing calcite or cobalt-bearing dolomite.
NOTE: This is the correct and approved IMA spelling ("sphaerocobaltite" is incorrect). Palache, Berman, and Frondel (1954) list this species as "cobaltocalite" and a confusion is common between the former "cobaltocalcite" and "cobalt-bearing calcite".
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
3726
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:3726:2
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
db9b2b24-b5d1-426c-86e1-70fd29ed4a39
IMA Classification of Spherocobaltite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Co(CO3)
Classification of Spherocobaltite
5.AB.05
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
14.1.1.5
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
11.14.1
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Scbt | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Spherocobaltite
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Most commonly dark magenta red; sometimes brownish red, greyish red, or velvet-black (due to surface alteraton)
Streak:
Magenta, red, "peach blossom red"
Hardness:
3 - 4 on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Poor/Indistinct
On {101¯1} (?)
On {101¯1} (?)
Density:
4.13 g/cm3 (Measured) 4.21 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Spherocobaltite
Type:
Uniaxial (-)
RI values:
nω = 1.855 nε = 1.600
Birefringence:
0.255
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.255
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Dichroic: O = violet-red; E = rose-red.
Chemistry of Spherocobaltite
Mindat Formula:
CoCO3
Elements listed:
Common Impurities:
Ca,Ni,Fe,O
Crystallography of Spherocobaltite
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Setting:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.658 Å, c = 14.958 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 3.211
Unit Cell V:
281.06 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
6
Morphology:
Crystals rare. Occurs commonly as small spherical masses with a crystalline surface and concentric and radiated structure; as crusts.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000104 | Spherocobaltite | Graf D L (1961) Crystallographic tables for the rhombohedral carbonates American Mineralogist 46 1283-1316 | 1961 | 0 | 293 | ||
0010021 | Spherocobaltite | Pertlik F (1986) Structures of hydrothermally synthesized cobalt(II) carbonate and nickel(II) carbonate Acta Crystallographica C42 4-5 | 1986 | synthetic | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
3.55 Å | (40) |
2.74 Å | (100) |
2.33 Å | (20) |
2.11 Å | (20) |
1.948 Å | (20) |
1.702 Å | (30) |
1.697 Å | (30) |
1.495 Å | (10) |
Comments:
ICDD 11-692 (synthetic)
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Near-surface Processes | |
23 : Subaerial aqueous alteration by non-redox-sensitive fluids (see also #47) |
Geological Setting:
Cobalt deposits with oxidised zones containing carbonates.
Type Occurrence of Spherocobaltite
Geological Setting of Type Material:
In Co-Ni veins
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Synonyms of Spherocobaltite
Other Language Names for Spherocobaltite
Relationship of Spherocobaltite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of this group:
Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Gaspéite | NiCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
21 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Erythrite | Co3(AsO4)2 · 8H2O |
18 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobalt-bearing Dolomite | (Ca,Mg,Co)CO3 |
12 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobalt-bearing Calcite | (Ca,Co)CO3 |
8 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
7 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltlotharmeyerite | CaCo2(AsO4)2 · 2H2O |
6 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
6 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Carrollite | CuCo2S4 |
4 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
3 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
3 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltaustinite | CaCo(AsO4)(OH) |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | NiCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 |
5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 |
5.AB.05 va | Parakutnohorite | |
5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 |
5.AB.10 | Škáchaite | CaCo(CO3)2 |
5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 |
5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 |
5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 |
5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 |
5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 |
5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 |
5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 |
5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 |
5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 |
Fluorescence of Spherocobaltite
Not fluorescent
Other Information
Notes:
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Spherocobaltite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-3726.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Spherocobaltite
Reference List:
Larsen, Esper S. (1921) The microscopic determination of the nonopaque minerals. Bulletin Vol. 679. US Geological Survey doi:10.3133/b679 p.135
Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1951) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 2 - Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Ect. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.175-176 - as Cobaltocalcite
(1980) International Mineralogical Association: Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names. Mineralogical Magazine, 43 (332) 1053-1055 doi:10.1180/minmag.1980.043.332.17
Pertlik, F. (1986) Structures of hydrothermally synthesized cobalt(II) carbonate and nickel(II) carbonate. Acta Crystallographica Section C Crystal Structure Communications, 42 (1) 4-5 doi:10.1107/s0108270186097524
Barton, I. F., Yang, H., Barton, M. D. (2014) The mineralogy, geochemistry, and metallurgy of cobalt in the rhombohedral carbonates. The Canadian Mineralogist, 52 (4) 653-670 doi:10.3749/canmin.1400006
Localities for Spherocobaltite
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Hodge-Smith (1932) |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) |
| Australian Journal of Mineralogy 1 (2) +3 other references |
| Noble et al |
| Bosworth et al. (2001) |
| Simpson Mineral Collection of the ... |
Canada | |
| Thirty - First Annual Report of the ... +1 other reference |
Knight (1922) | |
Traill (1983) | |
| Horváth et al. (2019) |
Chile | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and ... |
China | |
| Chunyan Dong et al. (2005) |
Czech Republic | |
| Sejkora et al. (2024) |
DR Congo | |
| Lapis (1992) |
| King (2005) +1 other reference |
Deliens (1996) | |
| edit.africamuseum.be (n.d.) |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
Mambwe et al. (Ruashi Cu-Co Deposit) | |
| Lapis (1992) +1 other reference |
| Gauthier et al. (1999) |
Gauthier et al. (1999) | |
| Xiangqian Li et al. (2009) |
| Arliguie M collection |
L Rantos collection | |
Gauthier et al. (1999) | |
Lapis 17 (3) | |
| |
Lapis 17 (3) +1 other reference | |
| Betts (n.d.) |
www.tenke.com (2003) | |
Fay et al. (2012) | |
Fay et al. (2012) | |
Germany | |
| Wittern (2001) |
Mills et al. (2020) | |
| Hajek (2010) |
| [Jahrb. Berg- und Hüttenwesen (1877) +1 other reference |
Lapis 30 (7/8) | |
Greece | |
| |
Italy | |
| ADORNI F. (1997) |
| analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf |
| Palache et al. (1951) |
| Pelloux (1926) +5 other references |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
| Stara et al. (1996) |
Stara et al. (1996) | |
Japan | |
| Kato (1973) |
Mexico | |
| Mineralogical Record: 29: 43. +1 other reference |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
Morocco | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Favreau et al. (2006) | |
Favreau et al. (2006) | |
Tomasz Praszkier (2010) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Favreau et al. (2006) | |
| Favreau et al. (2006) |
Slovakia | |
| Koděra (1986) |
| Zipser Ch. A. et al. (in German) |
Spain | |
| in Spanish version (Revista de Minerales) +1 other reference |
| Schnorrer (2000) |
Switzerland | |
| Frank Keutsch collection +1 other reference |
USA | |
| Bollin et al. (1958) +2 other references |
| Thompson et al. (1955) |
Zambia | |
| Torremans et al. (2013) |
Quick NavTopAbout SpherocobaltiteUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Bou Azzer mining district, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco