Linnaeite

linnaeite

cobalt

carrollite

ullmannite

Images

Formula: Co2+Co3+2S4
Sulphide, linnaeite subgroup, thiospinel group, spinel supergroup, forms a series with polydymite
Crystal System: Isometric
Specific gravity: 4.8
Hardness: 4½ to 5½
Streak: Greyish black
Colour: Grey, violet
Common impurities: Ni,Cu,Fe,Se
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Linnaeite occurs in hydrothermal veins with other cobalt and nickel sulphides. Associated minerals include chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, millerite, bismuthinite, gersdorffite, carrollite, cattierite, ullmannite, marcasite, pyrite, galena and sphalerite (HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, the Bastnäs mines, Riddarhyttan, Skinnskatteberg, Västmanland County, Sweden, linnaeite is one of the rarest minerals. It occurs as grains in chalcopyrite, or with grains of chalcopyrite and magnetite in a clinochlore skarn. Crystals of linnaeite occur with chalcopyrite and pyrite, and sometimes in allanite-(Ce) veins in the cerium ore (MinRec 35.3.196-197).

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