Clinosafflorite Locality: Schlema, Schlema-Hartenstein District, Erzgebirge , Saxony , Germany ( Locality at mindat.org ) Size: 5.5 x 4.6 x 3.6 cm. This is a solid, hefty specimen composed of large and sharp bismuth crystals to over 1 cm, completely covered by a druse of secondary bismuth. On them, are perched silvery-bright crystals of Clinosafflorite. — Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0
Clinosafflorite
Clinosafflorite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula CoAs₂.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Löllingite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5–5; specific gravity 7.46; Metallic. R1 –R2: (400) 50.7–54.8, (420) 59.8–55.0, (440) 59.0–55.1, (460) 58.0–55.3, (480) 57.1–55.5, (500) 56.3–55.6 luster.
IMA symbol Csaf, IMA status: approved, named in 1970.
Found in hydrothermal Co–Ni sulfide ores, typically silver-bearing.
It is found associated with Skutterudite, cattierite, cobaltite, siegenite, bismuth, silver, molybdenite, dolomite, barite.
In reference to the monoclinic symmetry of this saffloritelike species.