Cobaltoan Calcite is a vibrant pink to magenta variety of calcite where cobalt replaces some calcium in the crystal lattice. Collectors prize its intense coloration and often find it as beautiful rhombohedral crystals or sparkling drusy crusts in oxidized cobalt-bearing deposits.
Is this cobaltoan calcite?
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 cobaltoan calcite with a known reference. Cobaltoan Calcite sits at Mohs 3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cobaltoan Calcite leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cobaltoan Calcite typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pink, magenta, rose-red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, drusy, massive.
Often confused with
Cobaltoan Calcite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Smithsonite is the harder of the two (Mohs 4-4.5 vs. 3).
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cobaltoan Calcite leaves white, Erythrite leaves pale pink; luster reads vitreous on Cobaltoan Calcite and adamantine to pearly on Erythrite.
Often found alongside cobaltoan calcite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cobaltoan calcite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Ca,Co)CO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 3
- Density
- 2.71 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral Crystals, Drusy, Massive
- Cleavage
- Perfect in 3 Directions
- Fluorescence
- Red to Pink Under SW UV
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Decorative
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins, Oxidized Ore Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 thumbnail, $50-500 cabinet
Where rockhounds find cobaltoan calcite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Katanga, DR Congo
- Pribram, Czech Republic
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins, oxidized ore deposits country — that is the host setting where cobaltoan calcite typically forms. If you start seeing dolomite, quartz, malachite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a rhombohedral crystals, drusy, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cobaltoan calcite on the map
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