Cattierite is a rare cobalt sulfide belonging to the pyrite group, often found as small octahedral or cubic crystals. It is typically associated with copper-cobalt deposits and uranium mineralization. Collectors look for its characteristic dark gray metallic luster in association with other rare sulfide species.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Black

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrarePyrite Group family

Cattierite

Hardness: >4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Black
Transparency: Opaque

Is this cattierite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch cattierite with a known reference. Cattierite sits at Mohs >4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: black.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: pink, reddish white.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral, cubic crystals, massive.

Often confused with

Cattierite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Pyrite

Mohs 6-6.5

How to tell apart: Pyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 6-6.5 vs. >4); streak differs, so Cattierite leaves black, Pyrite leaves greenish black to brownish black.

Often found alongside cattierite

Minerals reported to co-occur with cattierite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CoS₂
Mohs hardness: >4
Density: 4.82 g/cm³
Colors: Pink Reddish white
Streak: Black
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Octahedral, cubic crystals, massive
Cleavage: {001}, perfect
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: In carbonate rocks (Shinkolobwe, Congo)

Where rockhounds find cattierite

Classic worldwide localities

Bald Knob, near Sparta, Alleghany Co., North Carolina, and in the Fletcher mine, Reynolds Co., Missouri, USA
Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire) (type locality)
Gänsberg, near Wiesloch, and Hohensachsen, Black Forest, Germany
Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: In carbonate rocks (Shinkolobwe, Congo). If you start seeing pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: octahedral, cubic crystals, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify cattierite?+

Mohs hardness is >4. Luster: metallic. The streak is black. Common colors include pink, reddish white.

Where is cattierite found?+

Notable localities include Bald Knob, near Sparta, Alleghany Co., North Carolina, and in the Fletcher mine, Reynolds Co., Missouri, USA; Shinkolobwe, Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire) (type locality); Gänsberg, near Wiesloch, and Hohensachsen, Black Forest, Germany; Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden.

Is cattierite safe to handle?+

Cattierite contains cobalt. Contains cobalt and sulfur; avoid inhalation of dust or ingestion. Wash hands thoroughly after handling specimens.

What rocks look like cattierite?+

Cattierite is most often confused with Pyrite, Vaesite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with cattierite?+

Cattierite commonly co-occurs with Pyrite, Chalcopyrite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does cattierite form in?+

Where it forms: In carbonate rocks (Shinkolobwe, Congo). Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is cattierite used for?+

Cattierite is used in collector.

Find cattierite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.