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Spherocobaltite

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Bou Azer District (Bou Azzer District), Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco
© JM. Johannet

Show Spherocobaltite Photos (56)



Formula:
CoCO
 
3
System:TrigonalColour:Most commonly dark ...
Hardness:3 - 4
Member of:Calcite Group
Name:Named by Albin Weisbach in 1877 from Greek "sphaira", sphere, plus cobalt, alluding to its habit and composition.


Calcite Group.

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 cobaltoan calcite.

Classification of Spherocobaltite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:5/B.02-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:5.AB.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
A : Carbonates without additional anions, without H2O
B : Alkali-earth (and other M2+) carbonates
Dana 8th edition ID:14.1.1.5

14 : ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
1 : A(XO3)
Hey's CIM Ref.:11.14.1

11 : Carbonates
14 : Carbonates of Co and Ni
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Type Occurrence of Spherocobaltite

Type Locality:Daniel Mine (St. Daniel Mine), Neustädtel, Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany
Year of Discovery:1877
Geological Setting of type material:In Co-Ni veins
Associated Minerals at type locality:
RoseliteErythriteAnnabergite

Occurrences of Spherocobaltite

Geological Setting:Cobalt deposits with oxidixed zones containing carbonates.

Physical Properties of Spherocobaltite

Lustre:Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Diaphaneity (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 (Mohs):3 - 4
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Poor/Indistinct
On {101¯1} (?)
Density (measured):4.13 g/cm3
Density (calculated):4.21 g/cm3

Crystallography of Spherocobaltite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:R3c {R3 2/c}
Space Group Setting:R3c
Cell Parameters:a = 4.658Å, c = 14.958Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 3.211
Unit Cell Volume: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.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
d-spacingIntensity
3.55 (40)
2.74 (100)
2.33 (20)
2.11 (20)
1.948 (20)
1.702 (30)
1.697 (30)
1.495 (10)
Comments:ICDD 11-692 (synthetic)

Optical Data of Spherocobaltite

Type:Uniaxial (-)
RI values: nω = 1.855 nε = 1.600
Birefringence:0.255
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.255

Chart shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness) and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:High
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:Dichroic: O = violet-red; E = rose-red.

Chemical Properties of Spherocobaltite

Formula:
CoCO
 
3
Essential elements:C, Co, O
All elements listed in formula:C, Co, O
Common Impurities:Ca,Ni,Fe,O

Relationship of Spherocobaltite to other Species

Member of:Calcite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Calcite
CaCO
 
3
Gaspéite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)CO
 
3
Magnesite
MgCO
 
3
Otavite
CdCO
 
3
Rhodochrosite
MnCO
 
3
Siderite
FeCO
 
3
Smithsonite
ZnCO
 
3
Common Associates:
MalachiteHeterogeniteCobaltoan DolomiteCobaltoan CalciteChrysocolla
Carrollite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
5.AB.05Calcite
CaCO
 
3
5.AB.05Gaspéite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)CO
 
3
5.AB.05Magnesite
MgCO
 
3
5.AB.05Otavite
CdCO
 
3
5.AB.05Rhodochrosite
MnCO
 
3
5.AB.05Siderite
FeCO
 
3
5.AB.05Smithsonite
ZnCO
 
3
5.AB.10Ankerite
Ca(Fe
2+
 
,Mg)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.10Dolomite
CaMg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.10Kutnohorite
Ca(Mn,Mg,Fe)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.10Minrecordite
CaZn(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.15Aragonite
CaCO
 
3
5.AB.15Cerussite
PbCO
 
3
5.AB.15Strontianite
SrCO
 
3
5.AB.15Witherite
BaCO
 
3
5.AB.20Vaterite
CaCO
 
3
5.AB.25Huntite
CaMg
 
3
(CO
 
3
)
 
4
5.AB.30Norsethite
BaMg(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.35Alstonite
BaCa(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.40Olekminskite
Sr(Sr,Ba)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.40Paralstonite
BaCa(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.45Barytocalcite
BaCa(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.50Carbocernaite
(Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO
 
3
)
 
2
5.AB.55Benstonite
(Ba,Sr)
 
6
(Ca,Mn)
 
6
Mg(CO
 
3
)
 
13
5.AB.60Juangodoyite
Na
 
2
Cu(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
11.14.2Kolwezite
(Cu,Co)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
11.14.3Nullaginite
Ni
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
11.14.4Hellyerite
NiCO
 
3
 · 6H
 
2
O
11.14.5Otwayite
Ni
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
11.14.6Zaratite
Ni
 
3
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
4
 · 4H
 
2
O
11.14.7Kambaldaite
NaNi
 
4
(CO
 
3
)
 
3
(OH)
 
3
 · 3H
 
2
O
11.14.8Glaukosphaerite
(Cu,Ni)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)(OH)
 
2
11.14.9Gaspéite
(Ni,Mg,Fe)CO
 
3
11.14.10Reevesite
Ni
 
6
Fe
3+
2
(OH)
 
16
(CO
 
3
) · 4H
 
2
O
11.14.11Comblainite
Ni
 
4
Co
 
2
(OH)
 
12
[CO
 
3
] · 3H
 
2
O
11.14.12Szymańskiite
Hg
 
16
(Ni,Mg)
 
6
(CO
 
3
)
 
12
(OH)
 
12
 · 11H
 
2
O

Other Names for Spherocobaltite

Synonyms:
Cobaltocalcite (of Frondel)Sphaerocobaltite
Other Languages:
French:Sphérocobaltite
German:Kobaltspath
Sphaerocobaltit
Sphaerokobaltit
Sphärocobaltit
Sphärokobaltit
Russian:Сферокобальтит
Simplified Chinese:菱钴矿
Spanish:Sphaerocobaltita

Other Information

Fluorescence in UV light:Not fluorescent
Other Information:Slowly soluble in cold HCl. Rapidly soluble in hot acids with effervescence.

Alters to Stainierite.
Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Spherocobaltite

Reference List:

- +
Weisbach, Albin (1877) Jahrb. Berg- und Hüttenwesen, Abh.: 53 (as Sphäro-kobaltit).

Ferro (1899) Atti soc. sc. Genoa: 10: 264.

Larsen, E.S. (1921) The Microscopic Determination of the Nonopaque Minerals, First edition, USGS Bulletin 679: 135.

Pelloux (1927) Ann. Mus. Civico Stor. Nat. Genova: 52: 269.

Ferrari and Colla (1929) Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome: 10: 594.

Baccaredda (1932) Rendus Reale accademia nazionale dei Lincei, Rome: 16: 248.

Buttenbach, H. (1947) Les Minéraux de Belgique et du Congo belge, Liége: 236.

Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, Etc. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 175-176 (as Cobaltocalcite).

Reviews in Mineralogy, Mineralogical Society of America: 11.

European Journal of Mineralogy: 3: 501-505.

American Mineralogist (1961): 46: 1283.

Acta Crystallographica (1986): C42: 4.

Gilbert Gauthier & Michel Deliens (1999): Cobalt Minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30, 255-267.

D.L. Douglass (1999): Cobaltoan Calcites and Dolomites from Katanga. Mineralogical Record 30, 269-273.

Internet Links for Spherocobaltite

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    • Localities for Spherocobaltite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
      • Mount Isa - Cloncurry area
        • Selwyn District
    		Australian Journal of Mineralogy 1(2): 23
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • North Flinders Ranges
          • Vulkathunha - Gammon Ranges National Park
    		; Noble et al, 1983, Catalogue of South Australian Minerals. SADM handbook 7
    China
     
    • Qinghai Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Golmud Co. (Ge'ermu Co.)
          • Qimantage Mtns
    		Chunyan Dong, Xiaoguo Chi, Fengyue Sun, and Yuan Zhang (2005): Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources 1(1), 29-33
    Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
     
    • Katanga (Shaba)
    		ARLIGUIE M collection
      • Katanga Copper Crescent
        • Kambove District
    		Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
          • Kakanda deposit
    		Rob Lavinsky specimen + Gauthier, G. & Deliens, M. (1999): Cobalt minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30 (4): 255-273
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
          • Kamoya
    		Weiss, S. (2006): Carrollit, Dolomit, Nickelin, Sphärocobaltit und Baryt aus der Provinz Shaba, Kongo. LAPIS 31 (9), 44-46; King, V. & R.L. Morgan (2005), Crystallograpy of Carrollite from the Kamoya South II mine, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rochester Mineralogical Symposium.
        • Kisamfu
    		Xiangqian Li, Yanling Yan, and Xianli Xu (2009): Mineral Resources and Geology 29(3), 253-257
        • Kolwezi District
    		L Rantos collection
    Gauthier, G. & Deliens, M. (1999): Cobalt minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30 (4): 255-273
          • Kolwezi
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
    [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
    Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992)
        • Lubumbashi (Elizabethville)
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 176, 790.
    No reference listed
    http://www.tenke.com/s/CopperCobaltDeposit.asp
    Germany
     
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Siegerland
        • Eiserfeld
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
    • Saxony
      • Erzgebirge
        • Marienberg District
          • Lauta
    		Hajek, W. (2010): Kristallwelten Marienberg. Weise Verlag, München.
        • Schneeberg District
          • Neustädtel
    		[Jahrb. Berg- und Hüttenwesen, Abh.(1877) p. 53; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"]
    Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005)
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    Italy
     
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Parma Province
        • Berceto
          • Corchia mine
    		ADORNI F., GUELFI F. (1997) - La miniera di Fe e Cu di Corchia, Berceto, Appennino Parmense. - Riv. Min. It., N. 3, 217-250.
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Sestri Levante
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 176.
      • Savona Province
        • Castelvecchio di Rocca Barbena
    		Antofilli, Borgo & Palenzona, 1985. I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. Edizioni Melita, La Spezia.
    • Sardinia
      • Carbonia-Iglesias Province
        • Fluminimaggiore
    		Stara, P., Rizzo, R., Tanca, G.A. (1996): Iglesiente e Arburese. Miniere e Minerali. Edito a cura dell'EMSA e "varie associazioni mineralogiche", Volume 2°, 192 pp.
      • Medio Campidano Province
        • Gonnosfanadiga
    		Stara, P., Rizzo, R., Tanca, G.A. (1996): Iglesiente e Arburese. Miniere e Minerali. Edito a cura dell'EMSA e "varie associazioni mineralogiche", Volume 2, 192 pp.
    Stara, P., Rizzo, R., Tanca, G.A. (1996): Iglesiente e Arburese. Miniere e Minerali. Edito a cura dell'EMSA e "varie associazioni mineralogiche", Volume 2°, 239 pp.
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Kinki Region
        • Hyogo Prefecture
          • Asago City
            • Ikuno-cho-ono
    		Kato (1973) Sakurai Koubutsu Hyohon, 35. (Kinichi Sakurai collection)
    Mexico
     
    • Baja California Sur (BC Sur)
      • Mun. de Mulegé
        • Boleo District
    		Palache, C., Berman, H., & Frondel, C. (1951), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892, Volume II: 176; Mineralogical Record: 29: 43.
    Panczner(1987):92-350.
    Panczner(1987):92-350.
    Panczner (1987): 348, 350.
    • Zacatecas
      • Mun. de Concepción del Oro
        • Aranzazú
    		Panczner(1987):84-359.
    Panczner(1987):350.
    Morocco
     
    • Souss-Massa-Draâ Region
      • Ouarzazate Province
        • Tazenakht
          • Bou Azer District (Bou Azzer District)
            • Aghbar
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
            • Agoudal
    		Tomasz Praszkier (2010) Lapis, 35, #11, 29-31.
    Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
            • Aït Ahmane
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
            • Bou Azer
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
            • Oumlil
    		Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68
    Slovakia
     
    • Košice Region
      • Rožňava Co.
        • Dobšiná (Dobschau) Mining District
    		Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    Zipser Ch. A., 1817: Versuch eines topograpisch-mineralogischen Handbuches von Ungarn. Carl Friedrich Wigand, Oedenburg, 440 p. (in German)
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Almería
        • Huércal-Overa
          • Cuesta Alta
            • Cerro Minado Mines
    		VIÑALS, J., FAVREAU, G., and EYTIER C. & J.-R. (2010): Bobkingite, capgaronnite, juanitaite, gerhardtite, reevesite and other rare minerals from Cerro Minado, Huercal-Overa (Almería). Mineral Up, 4, 3, 6-23 Versions simultaneously published in Catalan (Mineralogistes de Catalunya); in Spanish version (Revista de Minerales).; VIÑALS, J., FAVREAU, G., and EYTIER C. & J.-R. (2010): Bobkingite, capgaronnite, juanitaite, gerhardtite, reevesite and other rare minerals from Cerro Minado, Huercal-Overa (Almería). Mineral Up, 4, 3, 6-23 Versions simultaneously published in Catalan (Mineralogistes de Catalunya); in Spanish version (Revista de Minerales).
      • Córdoba
        • Villanueva de Córdoba
    		Schnorrer, G. (2000): Die Minerale der ehemaligen Grube Espuela de San Miguel bei Villanueva de Cordoba, Prov. Cordoba in Spanien. Der Aufschluss, 51, 211-222. (in German)
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
    		Frank Keutsch collection; specimen with spherocobaltite (Ca-free), safflorite and heterogenite.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Coconino Co.
        • Cameron District
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 376; Austin, S.R. (1964), Mineralogy of the Cameron area, Coconino Co., AZ, US Atomic Energy Comm. RME 99. Tech Inf. Serv., Oak Ridge, TN: 99.
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
    		Am Min 40:201-206
    Mineral and/or Locality
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