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, so Langisite leaves black, Nickeline leaves brownish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Langisite leaves black, Maucherite leaves greyish-black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so 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, 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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