en:Linnaeite (pen for scale) - Mineral collection of Brigham Young University Department of Geology, Provo, Utah - BYU index 2-8081, Co 3 S 4 — Photo: Andrew Silver · Public domain
Linnaeite
A cobalt sulfide of the thiospinel group discovered in Sweden in 1845 and named for Carl Linnaeus.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Linnaeite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the sulfide class, with the chemical formula Co²⁺Co³⁺₂S₄.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group Fd3m). It is a member of the Spinel structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5–5.5; specific gravity 4.5–4.8; Metallic, easily tarnished. R: (400) 41.5, (420) 41.8, (440) 42.2, (460) 43.0, (480) 44.0, (500) 45.0, (520) 46.0 luster.
IMA symbol Lin, grandfathered status — known before the IMA’s founding, named in 1845.
Found in hydrothermal veins with other cobalt and nickel sulfides.
It is found associated with Chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, millerite, bismuthinite, gersdorffite, carrollite, cattierite, ullmannite, marcasite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite.
In honor of Carl von Linné [Carolus Linnaeus] (1707–1778), Swedish taxonomist.