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Spherocobaltite

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Spherocobaltite

Bou Azer District Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Spherocobaltite

Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Spherocobaltite

Kakanda deposit, Kambove District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Spherocobaltite

Bou Azer District Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Spherocobaltite

Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Spherocobaltite

Kakanda deposit, Kambove District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Spherocobaltite

Bou Azer District Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Spherocobaltite

Kamoto, Kolwezi District, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre)
Formula:
CoCO3
System:
Trigonal
Colour:
Most commonly dark ...
Lustre:
Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Waxy
Hardness:
3 - 4
Member of:
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, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Strunz 8th ed.:
5/B.02-70
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) ed.:
5.AB.05

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

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:
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.
Surface Relief:
High
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Dichroic: O = violet-red; E = rose-red.

Chemical Properties of Spherocobaltite

Formula:
CoCO3
Elements listed in formula:
C, Co, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry
Common Impurities:
Ca,Ni,Fe,O

Crystallography of Spherocobaltite

Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Space Group:
R3c
Space Group Setting:
R3c
Cell Parameters:
a = 4.658 Å, c = 14.958 Å
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 Data:
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)

Occurrences of Spherocobaltite

Type Occurrence of Spherocobaltite

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

Relationship of Spherocobaltite to other Species

Member of:
Calcite Group
Other Members of Group:
CalciteCaCO3
GaspéiteNi(CO3)
MagnesiteMgCO3
OtaviteCdCO3
RhodochrositeMnCO3
SideriteFeCO3
SmithsoniteZnCO3
Common Associates:
Carrollite
Chrysocolla
Cobaltoan Calcite
Cobaltoan Dolomite
Heterogenite
Malachite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):
5.AB.05CalciteCaCO3
5.AB.05GaspéiteNi(CO3)
5.AB.05MagnesiteMgCO3
5.AB.05OtaviteCdCO3
5.AB.05RhodochrositeMnCO3
5.AB.05SideriteFeCO3
5.AB.05SmithsoniteZnCO3
5.AB.10AnkeriteCa(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2
5.AB.10DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
5.AB.10KutnohoriteCa(Mn,Mg,Fe)(CO3)2
5.AB.10MinrecorditeCaZn(CO3)2
5.AB.15AragoniteCaCO3
5.AB.15CerussitePbCO3
5.AB.15StrontianiteSrCO3
5.AB.15WitheriteBaCO3
5.AB.20VateriteCaCO3
5.AB.25HuntiteCaMg3(CO3)4
5.AB.30NorsethiteBaMg(CO3)2
5.AB.35AlstoniteBaCa(CO3)2
5.AB.40OlekminskiteSr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2
5.AB.40ParalstoniteBaCa(CO3)2
5.AB.45BarytocalciteBaCa(CO3)2
5.AB.50Carbocernaite(Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2
5.AB.55BenstoniteBa6Ca6Mg(CO3)13
5.AB.60JuangodoyiteNa2Cu(CO3)2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:
11.14.2Kolwezite(Cu,Co)2(CO3)(OH)2
11.14.3NullaginiteNi2(CO3)(OH)2
11.14.4HellyeriteNiCO3 · 5.5H2O
11.14.5OtwayiteNi2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O
11.14.6ZaratiteNi3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ?
11.14.7KambaldaiteNaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O
11.14.8Glaukosphaerite(Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2
11.14.9GaspéiteNi(CO3)
11.14.10ReevesiteNi6Fe23+(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O
11.14.11ComblainiteNi4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O
11.14.12SzymańskiiteHg16(Ni,Mg)6(CO3)12(OH)12(H3O)8•3H2O

Other Names for Spherocobaltite

Synonyms:

Cobaltocalcite (of Frondel)

Sphaerocobaltite

Name in Other Languages:
Simplified Chinese:菱钴矿

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 Risks:
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

    This 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.
    (TL) indicates type locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) indicates first recorded locality for everything else. ? 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
      • Cloncurry Shire
        • Kuridala
    		Vera Munro-Smith (2006) Cobalt Mineralisation in Selected Australian Deposits. PhD thesis, University of Western Sydney.
        • 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
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Timiskaming District
        • Cobalt-Gowganda region
          • Cobalt area
    		Knight, Cyril W. (1922). Geology of The Mine Workings of Cobalt and South Lorraine Areas; Thirty - First Annual Report of the Ontario Department of Mines, Vol. 21, Pt.2, P. 36.
    Traill R. J. (1983): Catalogue of Canadian Minerals Revised, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 80-18. P. 338.
    Chile
     
    • Atacama Region
      • Copiapó Province
        • Tierra Amarilla
          • Pampa Larga district
    		samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and Joy Desor
    China
     
    • Qinghai Province
      • Haixi Autonomous Prefecture
        • Golmud Co. (Ge'ermu Co.)
          • Qimantage Mts
    		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
        • Shinkolobwe
    		http://edit.africamuseum.be/geco_website/pdf/Shinkolobwe.pdf
    http://www.tenke.com/s/CopperCobaltDeposit.asp
    Fay, I., & Barton, M. D. (2012). Alteration and ore distribution in the Proterozoic Mines Series, Tenke-Fungurume Cu–Co district, Democratic Republic of Congo. Mineralium Deposita, 47(5), 501-519.
    Fay, I., & Barton, M. D. (2012). Alteration and ore distribution in the Proterozoic Mines Series, Tenke-Fungurume Cu–Co district, Democratic Republic of Congo. Mineralium Deposita, 47(5), 501-519.
    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 Prefecture (Attica; Attika)
      • Lavrion District (Laurion; Laurium)
        • 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
        • Genova
          • Borzoli
    		analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA
        • 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
        • Santa Rosalía
    		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
     
    • Drâa-Tafilalet 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.
    		Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
        • Dobšiná Mining District (Dobschau; Topschau)
    		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).
      • 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.; Bollin, E. M., & Kerr, P. F. (1958). Uranium mineralization near Cameron, Arizona. In Guidebook of the Black Mesa Basin, northern Arizona: New Mexico Geological Society, 9th Field Conference Society Guidebook (Vol. 9, pp. 161-168).
    • Utah
      • Emery Co.
        • San Rafael District (San Rafael Swell)
    		Am Min 40:201-206
    Zambia
     
    • Copperbelt Province
      • Chingola District
        • Chingola
    		Torremans, K., Gauquie, J., Boyce, A. J., Barrie, C. D., Dewaele, S., Sikazwe, O., & Muchez, P. (2013). Remobilisation features and structural control on ore grade distribution at the Konkola stratiform Cu–Co ore deposit, Zambia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 79, 10-23.
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