Kobellite [Pb22Cu4(Bi, Sb)30S69] is a gray, fibrous, metallic mineral. It is also a sulfide mineral consisting of antimony, bismuth, and lead. The mineral can be found in ores and deposits of Hvena, Sweden; Ouray, Colorado; and Wake County, North Carolina, US. The mineral was named after Wolfgang Franz von Kobell (1803–1882), a German mineralogist.
General
- Category: Sulfide minerals
- Formula: [Pb22Cu4(Bi,Sb)30S69]
- Crystal system: Orthorhombic
- Crystal class: Dipyramidal (mmm)
- H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m).
Fig: Kobellite
Physical Properties
It is a member of the izoklakeite – berryite series with silver and iron substituting in the copper site and a varying ratio of bismuth, antimony, and lead. It crystallizes with monoclinic pyramidal crystals.
- Colour: Blackish lead-gray to steel-gray
- Luster: Metallic
- Hardness: 2½ – 3
- Specific Gravity: 6.334
- Crystal System: Orthorhombic.
- Transparency: Opaque
- Streak: Black
- Cleavage: Distinct/Good good on 010
- Density: 6.334 g/cm3 (Measured) and 6.51 g/cm3 (Calculated).
Occurrence: A high-temperature hydrothermal mineral.
Locations include Hvena, Sweden; Ouray, Colorado; and Wake County, North Carolina, USA.
Association: Cobaltite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite (Vena mines, Sweden); bismuthinite, jamesonite, tetrahedrite (Raleigh, North Carolina, USA).
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