Langisite is a rare cobalt-nickel arsenide mineral known almost exclusively from its type locality at the Langis Mine in Ontario. It typically appears as metallic, pinkish-white to brassy grains within massive arsenide ore. It is highly sought after by collectors of rare cobalt-arsenic minerals.
Is this langisite?
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 langisite with a known reference. Langisite sits at Mohs 5-5.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Langisite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Langisite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: pinkish-white, pale brass.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: hexagonal. Typical habit: granular, massive.
Often confused with
Langisite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Langisite leaves black, Nickeline leaves brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Langisite leaves black, Maucherite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Langisite leaves black, Safflorite leaves grayish-black.
Often found alongside langisite
Minerals reported to co-occur with langisite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Co,Ni)As
- Mohs hardness
- 5-5.5
- Density
- 7.94 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Crystal habit
- Granular, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find langisite
Classic worldwide localities
- Langis Mine, Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins country — that is the host setting where langisite typically forms. If you start seeing niccolite, cobaltite, arsenopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find langisite on the map
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