Linnaeite | |
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Linnaeite samples and polished section
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General | |
Category |
Sulfide mineral Thiospinel group Spinel structural group |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Co+2Co+32S4 |
Strunz classification | 2.DA.05 |
Crystal system | Cubic |
Crystal class | Hexoctahedral (m3m) H-M symbol: (4/m 3 2/m) |
Space group | Fd3m |
Unit cell | a = 9.43 Å; Z = 8 |
Identification | |
Color | Steel gray to gray violet |
Crystal habit | As octahedral crystals; massive, granular |
Twinning | On {111} |
Cleavage | Imperfect on {001} |
Fracture | Subconchoidal |
Mohs scale hardness | 4.5-5.5 |
Luster | Metallic |
Streak | Grayish-black |
Diaphaneity | Opaque |
Specific gravity | 4.8-5.8 |
Alters to | Tarnishes in air |
References |
Linnaeite is a cobalt sulfide mineral with the composition Co+2Co+32S4. It was discovered in 1845 in Västmanland, Sweden, and was named to honor Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778).
Linnaeite forms a series with polydymite, Ni+2Ni+32S4. Linnaeite is found in hydrothermal veins with other cobalt and nickel sulfides in many localities around the world.