Cobaltpentlandite is a rare cobalt-dominant sulfide mineral within the pentlandite group. It typically appears as metallic, bronze-yellow granular masses in hydrothermal mineral deposits and is primarily sought after by advanced systematic collectors.
Is this cobaltpentlandite?
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 cobaltpentlandite with a known reference. Cobaltpentlandite sits at Mohs 3.5-4 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cobaltpentlandite leaves a brownish-bronze streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cobaltpentlandite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: bronze-yellow, yellowish-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Cobaltpentlandite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cobaltpentlandite leaves brownish-bronze, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cobaltpentlandite leaves brownish-bronze, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cobaltpentlandite leaves brownish-bronze, Linnaeite leaves black.
Often found alongside cobaltpentlandite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cobaltpentlandite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Co₉S₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5-4
- Density
- 4.8 g/cm³
- Streak
- Brownish-bronze
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Anhedral Grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Sulfide Deposits, Ultramafic Complexes
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen depending on rarity and size
Where rockhounds find cobaltpentlandite
Classic worldwide localities
- Outokumpu (Finland)
- Krutonj (Serbia)
- Gladhammar (Sweden)
- Bushveld Complex (South Africa)
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal sulfide deposits, ultramafic complexes country — that is the host setting where cobaltpentlandite typically forms. If you start seeing pentlandite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or anhedral grains habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cobaltpentlandite?+
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How much is cobaltpentlandite worth?+
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What rocks look like cobaltpentlandite?+
What minerals are found with cobaltpentlandite?+
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Find cobaltpentlandite on the map
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