Safflorite

Safflorite is a rare cobalt iron arsenide with formula: (Co,Fe)As₂. "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 löllingite or lollingite group. More than fifty percent iron makes the mineral lollingite whereas more than fifty percent nickel and the mineral is rammelsbergite. A parallel series of antimonide minerals exist.

Safflorite along with the other minerals crystallize in the orthorhombic system forming opaque gray to white massive to radiating forms. It 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.

It was first described in 1835 from the Schneeberg District, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany. Safflorite occurs with other arsenide minerals as an accessory in silver mining districts. It alters to the arsenate erythrite in the secondary environment.

References

* [http://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=3500&ld=1&pho= Mindat w/ locations]
* [http://webmineral.com/data/Safflorite.shtml Webmineral]
* [http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sulfides/loelling/safflori.htm Minerals.net]
* [http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/sulfides/safflori/safflori.htm Mineral galleries]