Spherocobaltite is a distinctive cobalt carbonate characterized by its vibrant pink to rose-red coloration. It is most often found as small globular crusts or rhombohedral crystals in the oxidation zones of cobalt deposits, making it a highly prized specimen for mineral collectors.
Is this spherocobaltite?
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 spherocobaltite with a known reference. Spherocobaltite sits at Mohs 4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: peach-blossom-red.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: deep rose-red, red, may be surficially altered, gray, brown, or velvet-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, globular, crusts, botryoidal.
Often confused with
Spherocobaltite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Spherocobaltite leaves peach-blossom-red, Rhodochrosite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Spherocobaltite is noticeably harder (Mohs 4 vs. 3); streak differs, so Spherocobaltite leaves peach-blossom-red, Calcite leaves white.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Spherocobaltite leaves peach-blossom-red, Magnesite leaves white.
Often found alongside spherocobaltite
Minerals reported to co-occur with spherocobaltite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CoCO₃
- Mohs hardness
- 4
- Density
- 4.13 g/cm³
- Streak
- Peach-blossom-red
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Translucent
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Rhombohedral crystals, globular, crusts, botryoidal
- Cleavage
- On {1011} (by analogy to the calcite group)
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A rare accessory mineral in hydrothermal cobalt-bearing mineral deposits
Where rockhounds find spherocobaltite
Classic worldwide localities
- Cameron area, Coconino Co., Arizona, USA
- Schneeberg, Saxony, Germany
- Libiola, near Casarza, and in the Valle del Neva, Liguria, Italy
- Zemo-Svanetia, Georgia
- Found in a number of mines in Katanga Province, Congo (Shaba Province, Zaire), including Kambove
- Musonoi and Kamoto mines, near Kolwezi
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A rare accessory mineral in hydrothermal cobalt-bearing mineral deposits. If you start seeing roselite, erythrite, annabergite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: rhombohedral crystals, globular, crusts, botryoidal. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify spherocobaltite?+
Where is spherocobaltite found?+
Is spherocobaltite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like spherocobaltite?+
What minerals are found with spherocobaltite?+
What kind of rock does spherocobaltite form in?+
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Find spherocobaltite on the map
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