Spherocobaltite
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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 Cobaltoan Calcite or Cobaltoan 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 "cobaltoan calcite".
Often confused with Cobaltoan Calcite or Cobaltoan 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 "cobaltoan calcite".
Classification of Spherocobaltite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
5/B.02-70
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
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.
Chemical Properties of Spherocobaltite
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.
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
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)
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 | Ni(CO3) | Hex. |
Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
Common Associates
Carrollite | Cu(Co,Ni)2S4 |
Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O |
Cobaltoan Calcite | (Ca,Co)CO3 |
Cobaltoan Dolomite | (Ca,Mg,Co)CO3 |
Heterogenite | Co3+O(OH) |
Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
Cobaltoan Dolomite | 11 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltoan Dolomite on mindat.org. |
Erythrite | 7 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Erythrite on mindat.org. |
Quartz | 5 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Quartz on mindat.org. |
Cobaltoan Calcite | 4 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltoan Calcite on mindat.org. |
Paratacamite | 4 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Paratacamite on mindat.org. |
Cobaltlotharmeyerite | 3 photos of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltlotharmeyerite on mindat.org. |
Rock Crystal | 1 photo of Spherocobaltite associated with Rock Crystal on mindat.org. |
Heterogenite | 1 photo of Spherocobaltite associated with Heterogenite on mindat.org. |
Roselite-Wendwilsonite Series | 1 photo of Spherocobaltite associated with Roselite-Wendwilsonite Series on mindat.org. |
Cobaltaustinite | 1 photo of Spherocobaltite associated with Cobaltaustinite on mindat.org. |
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping
5.AB.05 | Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.AB.05 | Gaspéite | Ni(CO3) | Hex. |
5.AB.05 | Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.AB.05 | Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
5.AB.05 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.AB.05 | Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.AB.05 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
5.AB.10 | Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.AB.10 | Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.AB.10 | Kutnohorite | CaMn2+(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.AB.10 | Minrecordite | CaZn(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.AB.15 | Aragonite | CaCO3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
5.AB.15 | Cerussite | PbCO3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
5.AB.15 | Strontianite | SrCO3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
5.AB.15 | Witherite | BaCO3 | Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
5.AB.20 | Vaterite | CaCO3 | Hex. 6/mmm (6/m 2/m 2/m) : P63/mmc |
5.AB.25 | Huntite | CaMg3(CO3)4 | Trig. 3 2 : R3 2 |
5.AB.30 | Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 | Trig. 3 2 : R3 2 |
5.AB.35 | Alstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 | Tric. |
5.AB.40 | Olekminskite | Sr(Sr,Ca,Ba)(CO3)2 | Trig. |
5.AB.40 | Paralstonite | BaCa(CO3)2 | Trig. |
5.AB.45 | Barytocalcite | BaCa(CO3)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/m |
5.AB.50 | Carbocernaite | (Ca,Na)(Sr,Ce,Ba)(CO3)2 | Orth. mm2 |
5.AB.55 | Benstonite | Ba6Ca6Mg(CO3)13 | Trig. 3 : R3 |
5.AB.60 | Juangodoyite | Na2Cu(CO3)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
Related Minerals - Dana Grouping (8th Ed.)
14.1.1.1 | Calcite | CaCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
14.1.1.2 | Magnesite | MgCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
14.1.1.3 | Siderite | FeCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
14.1.1.4 | Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
14.1.1.6 | Smithsonite | ZnCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c |
14.1.1.7 | Otavite | CdCO3 | Trig. 3m (3 2/m) |
14.1.1.8 | Gaspéite | Ni(CO3) | Hex. |
Related Minerals - Hey's Chemical Index of Minerals Grouping
11.14.2 | Kolwezite | (Cu,Co)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Tric. |
11.14.3 | Nullaginite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. |
11.14.4 | Hellyerite | NiCO3 · 5.5H2O | Mon. 2/m : P2/m |
11.14.5 | Otwayite | Ni2(CO3)(OH)2 · H2O | Orth. |
11.14.6 | Zaratite | Ni3(CO3)(OH)4 · 4H2O ? | Iso. |
11.14.7 | Kambaldaite | NaNi4(CO3)3(OH)3 · 3H2O | Hex. |
11.14.8 | Glaukosphaerite | (Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2 | Mon. 2/m : P21/b |
11.14.9 | Gaspéite | Ni(CO3) | Hex. |
11.14.10 | Reevesite | Ni6Fe3+2(OH)16(CO3) · 4H2O | Trig. |
11.14.11 | Comblainite | Ni4Co2(OH)12[CO3] · 3H2O | Trig. |
11.14.12 | Szymańskiite | Hg16(Ni,Mg)6(CO3)12(OH)12(H3O)8•3H2O | Hex. |
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.
References for Spherocobaltite
Reference List:
Sort by Year (asc) | by Year (desc) | by Author (A-Z) | by Author (Z-A)
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
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.
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
Localities for Spherocobaltite
Locality List




All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Hodge-Smith, T. (1932) Geological and mineralogical observations in Central Australia. Records of the Australian Museum 18(8), pp.415–442, plates liii–lv [13 September 1932]. |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) Cobalt Mineralisation in Selected Australian Deposits. PhD thesis, University of Western Sydney. |
| Australian Journal of Mineralogy 1(2): 23 |
| ; Noble et al, 1983, Catalogue of South Australian Minerals. SADM handbook 7 |
Canada | |
| 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 | |
| samples analysed by Gerhard Mohn and Joy Desor |
China | |
| Chunyan Dong, Xiaoguo Chi, Fengyue Sun, and Yuan Zhang (2005): Multipurpose Utilization of Mineral Resources 1(1), 29-33 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| 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) | |
| 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. |
| http://edit.africamuseum.be/geco_website/pdf/Shinkolobwe.pdf |
| Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992) |
ARLIGUIE M collection | |
L Rantos collection | |
Gauthier, G. & Deliens, M. (1999): Cobalt minerals of the Katanga Crescent, Congo. Mineralogical Record 30 (4): 255-273 | |
| Xiangqian Li, Yanling Yan, and Xianli Xu (2009): Mineral Resources and Geology 29(3), 253-257 |
| |
Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992); Wilson, W. E. (2018) The Musonoi mine, Kolwezi District, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mineralogical Record 49:236-304 | |
[www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com] | |
Lapis 17(3), 13-40 (1992) | |
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. | |
| 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 | |
Germany | |
| Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001 |
| Hajek, W. (2010): Kristallwelten Marienberg. Weise Verlag, München. |
| [Jahrb. Berg- und Hüttenwesen, Abh.(1877) p. 53; Clark, 1993 - "Hey's Mineral Index"] |
Lapis 30(7/8):41-70 (2005) | |
Greece | |
| No reference listed |
Italy | |
| ADORNI F., GUELFI F. (1997) - La miniera di Fe e Cu di Corchia, Berceto, Appennino Parmense. - Riv. Min. It., N. 3, 217-250. |
| analysed by Dr. Anthony Kampf, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, USA |
| 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. |
| Pelloux, A. (1926) Res Ligusticae LVI. Sferocobaltite e altri minerali della valle del Neva. Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Giacomo Doria, 52 (1925-1928), 269-272; Palache, C., Berman, H., Frondel, C. (1951) The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana, Yale University 1837-1892. Seventh edition, revised and enlarged. Volume II. Halides, Nitrates, Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates, Phosphates, Arsenates, Tungstates, Molybdates, etc. John Wiley & Sons, New York, pages 175-176 (reported as cobaltocalcite); Gramaccioli, C.M. (1975) Minerali alpini e prealpini. Istituto Italiano Edizioni Atlas, Bergamo, 2 vol., 472 pp.; Antofilli, M., Borgo, E., Palenzona, A. (1985) I nostri minerali. Geologia e mineralogia in Liguria. II Edizione. SAGEP Editrice, Genova, 296 pp.; Anthony, J.W., Bideaux, R.A., Bladh, K.W., Nichols, M.C. (2003) Handbook of Mineralogy. Volume V. Borates, Carbonates, Sulfates. Mineral Data Publishing, Tucson, Arizona, 813 pp.; Belmonte, D., Bracco, R., Marchesini, M. (2010) Ma la sferocobaltite in Liguria ...? Prie - Notiziario di mineralogia ligure, 6, Maggio – Agosto 2010, 50-55. |
| 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, 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 | |
| Kato (1973) Sakurai Koubutsu Hyohon, 35. (Kinichi Sakurai collection) |
Mexico | |
| 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): 348, 350. |
| Panczner(1987):92-350. |
| Panczner(1987):92-350. |
| Panczner(1987):84-359. |
Panczner(1987):350. | |
Morocco | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
| Favreau, G. and Dietrich, J. E. (2006). Die Mineralien von Bou Azzer. Lapis 31(7/8), 27-68 |
Slovakia | |
| 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 | |
| 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). |
| 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 | |
| Frank Keutsch collection; specimen with spherocobaltite (Ca-free), safflorite and heterogenite. |
USA | |
| 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). |
| Am Min 40:201-206 |
Zambia | |
| 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. |
Bou Azzer District, Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco