Erythrite
Erythrite is a cobalt arsenate mineral, which is often really rather pretty – a dark pink to red colour with prismatic crystals that grow in fascinating patterns.
Historically, erythrite was known as ‘cobalt bloom’ by miners, because its noticable presence helped to identify locations where cobalt bearing minerals would be found.
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Appearance
A fantastic looking dark pink-red mineral, which occurs in a range of crystal habits – the best specimens are striated prismatic crystals, or radial growths. Well formed crystals are rare and prized by collectors.
Uses and History
It is often known as ‘cobalt bloom’, or ‘red cobalt’ – cobalt bloom is a term given to it by miners, who knew that the presence of Erythrite meant the presence of other cobalt bearing minerals in the area.
Locales
Africa:
- Aghbar, Irhtem, and other mines in the Bou Azzer district, Morocco
Asia:
Europe:
- Occurs in a range of English mines, especially in Cornwall.
South America:
Antarctica:
Australia and Oceania:
- Mount Cobalt Mine, Queensland, Australia
North America:
Mineralogy
Hazards and Warnings
Toxic, cobalt arsenate mineral. Wash hands after handling.
Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis. When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.
Translations
Arabic:
- إريثريت
Hindi:
- एरिथ्राइट
Portuguese:
Bengali:
Indonesian:
Punjabi:
English:
- erythrite, cobalt bloom
Italian:
- eritrite
Russian:
French:
- érythrite
Japanese:
- エリトリット
Spanish:
German:
Korean:
Thai:
Gujurati:
Mandarin Chinese:
Urdu: