Sphaerocobaltite from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
The pink mineral is sphaerocobaltite, CoCO3 (cobalt carbonate), also sometimes called (incorrectly) cobaltocalcite and cobaltian-calcite. (The latter two names are more appropriate for referring to calcite that has an appreciable amount of cobalt in its structure as an impurity.) The sometimes deep rose-red to pink color of this mineral can be very attractive and unique. Sometimes sphaerocobaltite can be confused with other pinkinsh carbonates such as rhodochrosite. Typically sphaerocobaltite forms as crusts or fine crystals in cobalt-rich deposits. In some spectacular specimens it is associated with malachite (deep green color). These samples are up to 3 cm across.
University of North Dakota Mineralogy Collection, #703
