Cobaltite (Ref: 1079)

Here we have an excellent defined and multifaced crystal of Cobaltite from Håkansboda in Sweden. The old time label says Riddarhiddan (Riddarhyttan) but I´m pretty sure, that the nearby locality of Håkansboda is meant, due to the fact that matrix and crystal habit are matching perfectto this locality. This lustrous, silver pyritohedron-shaped crystal (quite rare compared to the more common cubic habit) of Cobaltite rests on nearly massive ore matrix, and this single crystal measures 1,1 cm across. The Cobaltite has very good luster, and is sharp edged as well. The faces are slightly striated with very minor edge wear, but not to the detriment of the aesthetics. Mining from this copper-zinc-lead-cobalt mine occurred for about two hundred years, and ended in 1873. It displays very nicely! This is an old European classics in excellent form, even by modern standards.