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 — Clinosafflorite leaves black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — 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 — that is 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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