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, so Cobaltpentlandite leaves brownish-bronze, Pentlandite leaves light bronze-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cobaltpentlandite leaves brownish-bronze, Pyrrhotite leaves dark grey to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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?+
Where is cobaltpentlandite found?+
How much is cobaltpentlandite worth?+
Is cobaltpentlandite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cobaltpentlandite?+
What minerals are found with cobaltpentlandite?+
What kind of rock does cobaltpentlandite form in?+
What is cobaltpentlandite used for?+
Find cobaltpentlandite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
