Safflorite is a cobalt arsenide mineral that typically forms tin-white, metallic masses or prismatic crystals in hydrothermal deposits. It is often found alongside other cobalt-nickel arsenides and is frequently identified by its characteristic metallic luster and tarnish, though it is difficult to distinguish from skutterudite and loellingite without analytical testing.
Is this safflorite?
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 safflorite with a known reference. Safflorite sits at Mohs 4.5-5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Safflorite leaves a grayish-black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Safflorite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: tin-white, silver-white, gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic, massive, or granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Safflorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside safflorite
Minerals reported to co-occur with safflorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CoAs₂
- Mohs hardness
- 4.5-5
- Density
- 6.9-7.3 g/cm³
- Streak
- Grayish-black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic, Massive, Or Granular Aggregates
- Cleavage
- Distinct On {110}
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Cobalt
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Veins Containing Cobalt-nickel-arsenic Mineralization
- Typical price
- $20-150 thumbnail to cabinet size
Where rockhounds find safflorite
Classic worldwide localities
- Schneeberg, Germany
- Bou Azzer, Morocco
- Cobalt, Ontario, Canada
- Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal veins containing cobalt-nickel-arsenic mineralization country — that is the host setting where safflorite typically forms. If you start seeing skutterudite, nickeline, cobaltite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic, massive, or granular aggregates habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find safflorite on the map
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