#safflorite

Native Silver with Cobaltite and Safflorite in matrix

Safflorite, Skutterudite              

Safflorite : (Co,Ni,Fe)As2

Skutterudite : CoAs3

Locality:

Sophia Mine, Böckelsbach valley, Wittichen, Schenkenzell, Rottweil, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Field of view: 2.5 mm

Safflorite twins in iridescent colours with silver grey and blocky skutterudite.

Collection and photo: Stephan Wolfsried

Safflorite is a rare cobalt iron arsenide mineral. In hydrothermal veins of moderate temperature and pressure.

Safflorite              

CoAs2

Locality:

Oumlil Mine (incl. Oumlil East Mine), Oumlil, Bou Azzer District (Bou Azer District), Tazenakht, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco

Field of View: 0.78 mm

Twinned crystals of safflorite (analyzed) surrounded by a thick, grey crust that follows the outline of the safflorite crystals. The grey crust has inclutions of an orange, unidentified mineral and 0.02 mm, black, sixsided, metallic, crystals of an unidentified mineral.

Collection and photo OT. Ljøstad.

Safflorite is a rare cobalt iron arsenide mineral. Pure safflorite would be just CoAs2, but iron is virtually always present. Safflorite is a member of the three-way substitution series of arsenides known as the loellingite or loellingite group. In hydrothermal veins of moderate temperature and pressure. Safflorite crystallize in the orthorhombic system forming opaque gray to white massive to radiating forms, t has a mohs hardness of 4.5 and a specific gravity of 6.9 to 7.3. Twinning is common and star shaped twins are frequently found.

Safflorite, Cobaltite, & Dolomite (BB-M-0522)

(Silver & Cobalt-Nickle Asernides)  May also contain <1mm Arsenopyrite crystals

Hellens-Eplett Mine, Ontario, Canada