Cattierite Locality: Shinkolobwe Mine (Kasolo Mine), Shinkolobwe, Kambove District, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo Field of view 8 mm. Crude cattierite crystals in dolomite matrix. — Photo: Leon Hupperichs · CC BY-SA 3.0
Cattierite
Cobalt disulfide discovered with its nickel analogue vaesite in the Congo, named for Union Minière chairman Félicien Cattier.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Cattierite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula CoS₂.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group Pa3). It is a member of the Pyrite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 4.82; Metallic. R: (400) 35.8, (420) 35.2, (440) 34.5, (460) 34.3, (480) 34.6, (500) 35.1, (520) 35.8, (540) 36.7 luster.
IMA symbol Cat, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1945.
Found in carbonate rocks (Shinkolobwe, Congo).
It is found associated with Pyrite, chalcopyrite, other linnaeite–polydymite group minerals.
The mineral was named to honor Félicien Cattier (1869–1946), former Chairman of Union Miniére du Haut Katanga, Belgium.