Names

Cattierite

Intro Cattierite is a rare cobalt sulfide mineral with the chemical formula CoS₂, belonging to the pyrite group. First discovered in the rich stratiform copper-cobalt deposits of the Katanga Copperbelt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it typically occurs as metallic pinkish-gray to dark gray microscopic crystals, cubes, and granular aggregates associated with other base-metal sulfides.

Basic Information Show Hide

Mineral ID

cattierite

Common Synonyms / Aliases

Cobalt Disulfide, Cattierit, Каттьерит

Chemistry Show Hide

Chemical Formula

CoS₂

Elements

Co, S

Minor Elements / Impurities

Ni, Fe, Cu, As, Se

Empirical Formula

(Co₀.₈₄Ni₀.₀₈Fe₀.₀₈)₁S₂.₀₀

Molecular Weight (g/mol)

123.06

Solubility

Insoluble in water and dilute acids; slowly soluble in concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃) and aqua regia.

Reaction to Acid

Effervesces and decomposes in hot concentrated HNO₃ with liberation of sulfur oxides.

Classification Show Hide

Mineral Type

Mineral Species

IMA Status

Approved

IMA Symbol

Ctr

Strunz Classification

02.EB.05a

Dana Classification

02.12.01.04

Mineral Group

Pyrite Group

Crystal Structure Show Hide

Crystal System

Isometric

Crystal Habit

Cubic crystals, octahedra, pyritohedra, granular aggregates, and microscopic inclusion blebs.

Crystal Class

Diploidal (m3̄ or 2/m3̄)

Space Group

Pa3̄

Cell Parameter A (Angstrom)

5.538

Cell Parameter B (Angstrom)

5.538

Cell Parameter C (Angstrom)

mineral_cell_c

Cell Angle Alpha (Degrees)

Cell Angle Beta (Degrees)

Cell Angle Gamma (Degrees)

Unit Cell Z

Crystal Twinning

Interpenetration twinning on {110} common, following the Pyrite Law.

Common Crystal Faces

{100}, {111}, {210}

Physical Properties Show Hide

Primary Color

PinkGrayBlack

Common Colors

Metallic pinkish-gray, steel-gray, lead-gray, tarnishing to dull black, violet-gray in reflected light.

Streak

Black to brownish-black

Luster

Metallic

Transparency / Diaphaneity

Opaque

Hardness (Mohs)

4.0 - 4.5

Cleavage

Perfect

Cleavage Direction

{100}

Cleavage Angle / Parting Quality

Distinct cubic cleavage along {100}; parting along {011} occasionally observed.

Fracture

Conchoidal to Uneven

Tenacity

Brittle

Specific Gravity

4.80 - 4.95

Magnetism

Ferromagnetic at low temperatures (below Curie temperature ~120 K); weakly paramagnetic at room temperature.

Melting Point

Decomposes above 650°C into Co₁₋ₓS and sulfur gas before melting.

Thermal Stability

Thermally unstable in oxidizing conditions above 400°C; oxidizes rapidly to cobalt oxides and sulfates.

Optical Properties Show Hide

Dispersion

None (Metallic reflectance varies slightly across visible spectra)

Optical Character

Isotropic

Pleochroism

Non Pleochroic

Pleochroism Details

Isotropic in polished reflected light; exhibits moderate reflectivity (R ≈ 38–44%) with a distinctive delicate violet-pinkish tint compared to pyrite and vaesite.

Optical Phenomena

High metallic specular reflection.

Fluorescence

Inert

Luminescence / Phosphorescence / Thermoluminescence

Non-luminescent

Absorption Spectrum

Not applicable (opaque metallic phase).

Occurrence and Formation Show Hide

Formation Process

Forms in low-to-medium temperature hydrothermal vein deposits and stratabound sediment-hosted copper-cobalt ores, typically precipitating alongside other thiospinels and disulfides during late-stage hydrothermal mineralization.

Geological Environment

Sediment-hosted stratiform copper-cobalt deposits (Katanga-type), hydrothermal veins cutting mafic-ultramafic rocks, and polymetallic replacement deposits.

Associated Minerals

Vaesite, Pyrite, Linnaeite, Carrollite, Chalcopyrite, Bornite, Chalcocite, Siegenite, Heterogenite, Dolomite, Quartz

Type Locality

Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Kambove District, Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Major Producing Countries / Localities

AustraliaAustriaCanadaDemocratic Republic Of The CongoFinlandGermanyMoroccoRussiaUnited StatesZambia

Economic Deposit Type

Sediment-hosted stratiform Cu-Co deposits and hydrothermal polymetallic vein deposits.

History and Naming Show Hide

Discovery Year

1945

Name Origin

Named in honor of Félicien Cattier (1869–1946), Belgian financier and chairman of the Union Minière du Haut-Katanga.

Type Specimen Repository

Royal Museum for Central Africa, Tervuren, Belgium; National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington, D.C., USA.

Safety and Related Information Show Hide

Wearability

Poor

Health Hazards

Contains cobalt and sulfur. Inhalation of fine dust generated by grinding/cutting may cause respiratory irritation, asthma-like symptoms, or cobalt toxicity.

Handling Precautions

Wear a dust mask and gloves when handling, cutting, or polishing raw samples. Avoid inhaling dust and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

Varieties

Nickel-bearing Cattierite (forms a continuous solid solution series towards Vaesite, NiS₂)

Polytypes

None

Related Minerals

Vaesite (NiS₂), Pyrite (FeS₂), Trogtalite (CoSe₂), Linnaeite (Co₃S₄), Carrollite (CuCo₂S₄), Fukuchilite (Cu₃FeS₈)

Commercial and Gemology Show Hide

Common Treatments

None

Enhancements

None

Common Cuts

None (Polished sections and mineral specimens for research/collectors only)

Rarity / Market Grade

Very Rare