Clinosafflorite is a rare monoclinic cobalt arsenide that is physically and chemically difficult to distinguish from its orthorhombic counterpart, Safflorite. It typically occurs as silver-white to tin-white massive or granular aggregates in cobalt-bearing hydrothermal veins. Identification usually requires X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis due to its similarity to other cobalt and iron arsenides.
Is this clinosafflorite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch clinosafflorite with a known reference. Clinosafflorite sits at Mohs 4.5-5.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Clinosafflorite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Clinosafflorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin-white, silver-white, iron-gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: prismatic, granular, or massive.
Often confused with
Clinosafflorite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clinosafflorite leaves black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Clinosafflorite leaves black, Löllingite leaves gray-black.
Often found alongside clinosafflorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with clinosafflorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CoAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5.5
- Density
- 7.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Granular, Or Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail
Where rockhounds find clinosafflorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where clinosafflorite typically forms. If you start seeing safflorite, skutterudite, native silver in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, granular, or massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify clinosafflorite?+
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How much is clinosafflorite worth?+
Is clinosafflorite safe to handle?+
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Find clinosafflorite on the map
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