About Skutterudite
A cobalt arsenide (can contain nickel and iron), forming a group with Nickelskutterudite. It's tin-white to steel-grey. Associated with strength, protection, manifestation, and mental focus. (Arsenic content, handle with care).
Primary Hues
Tin-White, Silver-Grey, Steel-Grey, Tarnishes dark grey or iridescent, often forms cubic or octahedral crystals or massive
Geological & Scientific Details
Skutterudite is classified as a arsenide mineral mineral which typically crystallizes in the cubic system. Its chemical formula is CoAs3. Common crystal habits include crystals are cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra, rarely prismatic; in skeletal growth forms, distorted aggregates; also massive, granular.
Key Geological Properties:
- Mineral Category: Arsenide mineral
- Chemical Formula: CoAs3
- IMA Symbol: Skt[1]
- Crystal System: Cubic
- Predominant Geological Color: Tin-white to silver-gray, tarnishes gray or iridescent; in polished section, gray, creamy or golden white
- Crystal Habit: Crystals are cubes, octahedra, dodecahedra, rarely prismatic; in skeletal growth forms, distorted aggregates; also massive, granular
- Twinning: On {112} as sixlings and complex shapes
- Cleavage: Distinct on {001} and {111}; in traces on {011}
- Luster: Metallic
- Streak: Black
- Diaphaneity: Opaque
Associated Minerals
- Nickelskutterudite (forms series with)
- Cobaltite
- Safflorite
- Rammelsbergite
- Arsenopyrite
- Native Silver
- Native Bismuth
- Erythrite (alteration product) (common in hydrothermal cobalt-nickel-arsenic-silver veins)