Kobellite
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
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About Kobellite
Wolfgang Xavier Franz Baron von Kobell
Formula:
Pb22Cu4(Bi,Sb)30S69
May contain minor Fe replacing Cu, and minor Se replacing S.
Colour:
Blackish lead-gray to steel-gray
Lustre:
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Hardness:
2½ - 3
Specific Gravity:
6.334
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Member of:
Name:
Named in 1839 by J. Setterberg in honor of Wolfgang Xavier Franz Ritter von Kobell [July 19, 1803 München, Germany – November 11, 1882 München, Germany], mineralogist and author/poet who specialized in writing in Bavarian dialect. Von Kobell was professor of mineralogy at University of München beginning in 1826 and in 1855 invented a device (stauroscope) for studying the optical properties of crystals. In 1856, he became the first curator of the Bavarian Museum's mineral collection. Von Kobell also was an early experimenter in photography and photochemical techniques. [Note: The historical and erroneous author attribution has been "Sätterberg".]
Type Locality:
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
2233
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:2233:6
Similar Names
| Knobellite | A mixture of two or more distinct mineral species |
IMA Classification of Kobellite
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
IMA Formula:
Pb2+11(Cu1+,Fe2+)2(Bi3+,Sb3+)15S2-35
Classification of Kobellite
2.HB.10a
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
B : With Cu, Ag, Fe, Sn and Pb
2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
H : Sulfosalts of SnS archetype
B : With Cu, Ag, Fe, Sn and Pb
3.6.19.1
3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
3 : SULFOSALTS
6 : 2 < ø < 2.49
5.7.13
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
5 : Sulphosalts - Sulpharsenites and Sulphobismuthites (those containing Sn, Ge,or V are in Section 6)
7 : Sulpharsenites etc. of Pb and other metals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Kbl | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
| Kob | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) | The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download |
Physical Properties of Kobellite
Metallic, Sub-Metallic
Transparency:
Opaque
Colour:
Blackish lead-gray to steel-gray
Comment:
May tarnish with a blue iridescence
Streak:
Black
Hardness:
2½ - 3 on Mohs scale
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
good on 010
good on 010
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven
Density:
6.334 g/cm3 (Measured) 6.51 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Kobellite
Anisotropism:
Distinct
Reflectivity:
| Wavelength | R1 (%) | R2 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 400nm | 48.6% | 51.8% |
| 420nm | 48.0% | 51.1% |
| 440nm | 47.5% | 50.5% |
| 460nm | 47.0% | 49.9% |
| 480nm | 46.6% | 49.3% |
| 500nm | 46.1% | 48.7% |
| 520nm | 45.6% | 48.1% |
| 540nm | 45.0% | 47.5% |
| 560nm | 44.6% | 46.9% |
| 580nm | 44.1% | 46.4% |
| 600nm | 43.8% | 45.9% |
| 620nm | 43.5% | 45.7% |
| 640nm | 43.3% | 45.5% |
| 660nm | 43.1% | 45.4% |
| 680nm | 42.9% | 45.3% |
| 700nm | 42.7% | 45.2% |
Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 51.8%.
R1 shown in black, R2 shown in red
Colour in reflected light:
White
Pleochroism:
Weak
Chemistry of Kobellite
Mindat Formula:
Pb22Cu4(Bi,Sb)30S69
May contain minor Fe replacing Cu, and minor Se replacing S.
May contain minor Fe replacing Cu, and minor Se replacing S.
Element Weights:
Common Impurities:
Ag,Fe
Crystallography of Kobellite
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):
mmm(2/m2/m2/m) - Dipyramidal
Space Group:
Pnnm
Cell Parameters:
a = 22.62 Å, b = 34.08 Å, c = 4.02 Å
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.664 : 1 : 0.118
Unit Cell V:
3,098.98 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
4
Morphology:
Bladed, fibrous, massive, granular.
Comment:
According to Miehe (1971), the Pnnm symmetry of kobellite is disturbed to P21/n for Bi-rich kobellite.
Crystal Structure
Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
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Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
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Display Options
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
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Perspective On | Perspective Off
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View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
| ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0014683 | Kobellite | Miehe G (1971) Crystal structure of kobellite Nature Physical Science 231 133-134 | 1971 | Korunka mine, Spissko-Gemerske Rudohorie Mountains, Czechoslovakia | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 4.17 Å | (5) |
| 3.93 Å | (30) |
| 3.71 Å | (10) |
| 3.51 Å | (100) |
| 3.38 Å | (100) |
| 3.25 Å | (20) |
| 3.11 Å | (30) |
| 2.97 Å | (20) |
| 2.84 Å | (50) |
| 2.71 Å | (30) |
| 2.59 Å | (5) |
| 2.51 Å | (5) |
| 2.30 Å | (10) |
| 2.24 Å | (20) |
| 2.13 Å | (60) |
| 2.08 Å | (5) |
| 2.03 Å | (40) |
| 1.929 Å | (30) |
| 1.652 Å | (5) |
| 1.804 Å | (10) |
| 1.740 Å | (40) |
| 1.701 Å | (30) |
| 1.608 Å | (5) |
| 1.391 Å | (20) |
| 1.329 Å | (30) |
| 1.221 Å | (30) |
Comments:
ICDD 8-122
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| High-? alteration and/or metamorphism | |
| 33 : Minerals deposited by hydrothermal metal-rich fluids (see also [#12]) |
Geological Setting:
High temperature hydrothermal deposits.
Type Occurrence of Kobellite
Other Language Names for Kobellite
Varieties of Kobellite
| Antimony-bearing Kobellite | An antimony-bearing variety of kobellite. The antimony-dominant mineral is tintinaite. |
| Selenium-bearing Kobellite | Mumme et al. (2013), in a study of the crystal structure, using a crystal fragment from the original material described by Ödman (1941) as "selenokobellite", found that it is best described as a selenian kobellite, and not as a new mineral. Selenian kobe... |
Relationship of Kobellite to other Species
Member of:
Other Members of Kobellite Homologous Series:
| Giessenite | Pb27Cu2(Bi,Sb)19S57 | Mon. 2/m |
| Izoklakeite | Pb27(Cu,Fe,Ag)2(Sb,Bi)19S57 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm |
| Tintinaite | Pb22Cu4(Sb,Bi)30S69 | Orth. mmm(2/m2/m2/m) : Pnnm |
Forms a series with:
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 28 photos of Kobellite associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 17 photos of Kobellite associated with Chalcopyrite | CuFeS2 |
| 9 photos of Kobellite associated with Pyrite | FeS2 |
| 5 photos of Kobellite associated with Cosalite | Pb2Bi2S5 |
| 4 photos of Kobellite associated with Galenobismutite | PbBi2S4 |
| 4 photos of Kobellite associated with Siderite | FeCO3 |
| 3 photos of Kobellite associated with Lillianite | Pb3-2xAgxBi2+xS6 |
| 3 photos of Kobellite associated with Dravite | NaMg3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH) |
| 3 photos of Kobellite associated with Acanthite | Ag2S |
| 2 photos of Kobellite associated with Tetrahedrite-(Fe) | Cu6(Cu4Fe2+2)Sb4S12S |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 2.HB. | Barikaite | Ag3Pb10(Sb8As11)S40 |
| 2.HB. | Carducciite | (Ag2Sb2)Pb12(As,Sb)16S40 |
| 2.HB. | Sardashtite | Ag9Cu2.5Pb41Sb36.5As7S112 |
| 2.HB. | Interliveingite | AgPb18As25S56 |
| 2.HB. | Reckibachite | Ag2Pb12As14Sb4S40 |
| 2.HB.05a | Salzburgite | Cu1.6Pb1.6Bi6.4S12 |
| 2.HB.05a | Hammarite | Cu2Pb2Bi4S9 |
| 2.HB.05c | Jaskólskiite | CuxPb2+x(Sb,Bi)2-xS5 (x ~ 0.15) |
| 2.HB.05 | 'UM1990-54-Se:BiCuPb' | CuPb(Ni,Co)0.3Bi3Se6 |
| 2.HB.05a | Aikinite | CuPbBiS3 |
| 2.HB.05a | Pekoite | CuPbBi11S18 |
| 2.HB.05a | Friedrichite | Cu5Pb5Bi7S18 |
| 2.HB.05b | Meneghinite | Pb13CuSb7S24 |
| 2.HB.05a | Paarite | Cu1.7Pb1.7Bi6.3S12 |
| 2.HB.05a | Lindströmite | Cu3Pb3Bi7S15 |
| 2.HB.05a | Emilite | Cu10.7Pb10.7Bi21.3S48 |
| 2.HB.05a | Gladite | CuPbBi5S9 |
| 2.HB.05a | Krupkaite | CuPbBi3S6 |
| 2.HB.05 | 'UM2000-46-S:BiCuPb' | Cu0.33Pb0.33Bi7.67S12 |
| 2.HB.10b | Izoklakeite | Pb27(Cu,Fe,Ag)2(Sb,Bi)19S57 |
| 2.HB.10c | Eclarite | (Cu,Fe)Pb9Bi12S28 |
| 2.HB.10a | Tintinaite | Pb22Cu4(Sb,Bi)30S69 |
| 2.HB.10b | Giessenite | Pb27Cu2(Bi,Sb)19S57 |
| 2.HB.15 | Jamesonite | Pb4FeSb6S14 |
| 2.HB.15 | Benavidesite | Pb4MnSb6S14 |
| 2.HB.20a | Nagyágite | [Pb3(Pb,Sb)3S6](Au,Te)3 |
| 2.HB.20b | Buckhornite | AuPb2BiTe2S3 |
| 2.HB.20e | Luxembourgite | AgCuPbBi4Se8 |
| 2.HB.20b | Jaszczakite | [Bi3S3][AuS2] |
| 2.HB.20d | Berryite | Cu3Ag2Pb3Bi7S16 |
| 2.HB.20e | Watkinsonite | Cu2PbBi4(Se,S,Te)8 |
| 2.HB.20c | Museumite | [Pb2(Pb,Sb)2S8][(Te,Au)2] |
| 2.HB.20e | Litochlebite | Ag2PbBi4Se8 |
| 2.HB.25 | Meerschautite | (Ag,Cu)6Pb43-2xSb44+2xS112Ox (x ~0.5) |
Fluorescence of Kobellite
Not fluorescent in UV
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Kobellite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-2233.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
Search Engines:
External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Kobellite
Reference List:
Harris, D. C., Jambor, J. L., Lachance, G. R., Thorpe, R. I. (1968) Tintinaite, the antimony analogue of kobellite. The Canadian Mineralogist, 9 (3) 371-382
MIEHE, G. (1971) Crystal Structure of Kobellite. Nature Physical Science, 231. 133-134 doi:10.1038/physci231133a0
Zakrzewski, M. A., Makovicky, E. (1986) Izoklakeite from Vena, Sweden, and the kobellite homologous series. The Canadian Mineralogist, 24 (1) 7-18
Makovicky, Emil (1993) Rod-based sulphosalt structures derived from the SnS and PbS archetypes. European Journal of Mineralogy, 5 (3) 545-592 doi:10.1127/ejm/5/3/0545
Moëlo, Y., Roger, G., Maurel-Palacin, D., Marcoux, E., Laroussi, A. (1995) Chemistry of some Pb-(Cu, Fe)-(Sb, Bi sulfosalts from France and Portugal. Implications for the crystal chemistry of lead sulfosalts in the Cu-poor part of the Pb2S2-Cu2S-Sb2S3-Bi2-Bi2S3 system. Mineralogy and Petrology, 53 (4) 229-250 doi:10.1007/bf01160149
Mumme, William G., Gable, Robert W., Wilson, Nick (2013) A crystal structure determination of (selenian) kobellite from the Boliden Mine, Sweden. Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen, 191 (1). 109-115 doi:10.1127/0077-7757/2013/0250
Makovicky, Emil, Balić-Žunić, Tonči (2023) On the homeotypes of kobellite. Mineralogy and Petrology, 117 (2) 209-217 doi:10.1007/s00710-023-00828-z
Ciobanu, Cristiana L., Slattery, Ashley D., Cook, Nigel J., Wade, Benjamin P., Ehrig, Kathy, Wagner, Thomas, Liu, Wenyuan (2024) Kobellite homologues from the Boliden Au–Cu–(As) deposit, Sweden: jigsaw patterning via nanoscale intergrowths in chessboard structures. Mineralogical Magazine, 88 (5). 515-535 doi:10.1180/mgm.2024.41
Localities for Kobellite
Showing 154 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Australia | |
| Clissold (2007) +1 other reference |
| Gilligan et al. (1995) |
| Brathwaite (1969) +1 other reference |
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2019) |
| Schachinger et al. (2017) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | |
| Radosavljevic et al. (2005) |
Canada | |
| Encyclopedia of Minerals +2 other references |
| Harris et al. (1968) |
| M. Mauthner (collection) +1 other reference |
China | |
| Xiao et al. (2022) |
| Yingchen Ren (1999) |
| Mineral Deposits 4 (1) | |
| Yu et al. (2020) |
| Bosheng Zhou et al. (2002) +2 other references |
| Li et al. (2019) |
| Yingchen Ren (1998) +1 other reference |
| Yingchen Ren (1999) |
| Xinpei Jiang (1994) |
Czech Republic | |
| |
| Sejkora et al. (2003) |
| Mrázek |
| M.E. Ciriotti |
| Černý |
| Zacharias J +1 other reference |
France | |
| Chauris (2014) |
| R. Pierrot |
| Bari (1982) |
| Wittern +1 other reference |
| This mine worked the same vein as Gabe ... +2 other references | |
| Ruhlmann (1978) |
| Lips (2006) |
| Inventaire Minéralogique de la France ... |
| A.LANDEL ET AL. (1970) |
| R. Pierrot |
Germany | |
| Schot et al. (1969) |
| Wittern (2001) |
| Poser et al. (2004) |
India | |
| Borodaev et al. (2002) +1 other reference |
Iran | |
| Nezafatis (2006) |
Italy | |
| Franco Luca Bonino's collection |
Kazakhstan | |
| Mozgova et al. (1994) |
| Mozgova et al. (1994) |
Kosovo | |
| Kołodziejczyk et al. (2017) |
Malaysia | |
| Teh (1981) |
Mexico | |
| Querol +1 other reference |
New Zealand | |
| Simpson et al. (2011) |
Norway | |
| Husdal (2021) |
Peru | |
| Wang et al. (2024) |
| Corthay et al. (2014) |
Portugal | |
| Lundin Mining |
Romania | |
| Shimizu et al. (1998) |
| Shimizu et al. (1998) | |
| Cook et al. (2002) |
| Szakáll (2002) | |
| Cook et al. (2002) | |
Russia | |
| Kemkina et al. (2018, July) |
| Gvozdev et al. (2016) |
| Grebennikova et al. (2023) | |
| Gvozdev (2001) +1 other reference |
| Alekseev et al. (2015) | |
| Kovalev et al. (2019) |
| Redin et al. (2020) |
| [var: Antimony-bearing Kobellite] Gvozdev et al. (2020) | |
| Krivitskaya et al. (2008) |
Slovakia | |
| Pršek J. |
| Pršek et al. (2008) |
| Pršek et al. (2004) | |
| Pršek et al. (2004) |
| Ozdín D. & Pršek J. |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Miškovic J. (1990) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) |
| Háber et al. (SGR) | |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Háber M. (1969) +2 other references | |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Atagnis Tairitsu Collection | |
| Háber M. (1980) |
| Háber M. (1980) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Ondrejka et al. (2024) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Radvanec M. et al. (2022) | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
| Pršek et al. (2008) | |
| Koděra (1990) | |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Václav J. | |
| Václav J. (1966) | |
| Václav J. (1966) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Pauliš et al. (2002) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Pecho J. et al. (1981) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished | |
| Klimko et al. (2009) | |
| Martin Števko-unpublished +1 other reference |
| Ferenc et al. (2021) | |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Martin Števko-unpublished |
| Števko et al. (2021) | |
| Koděra et al. (1986) |
| Koděra et al. (1986) | |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Novák (1961) | |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Mikuš et al. (2018) +1 other reference | |
| Grecula (1995) |
| Grecula (1995) | |
| Pršek J. (Kandid. dizert. práca) |
| Majzlan et al. (2022) |
Spain | |
| Álvarez-Valero et al. (2009) |
| Mateo +4 other references |
| Castroviejo (1990) |
| Castroviejo (1990) | |
Sweden (TL) | |
| [var: Antimony-bearing Kobellite] Flink (1910) +2 other references |
| |
| [var: Selenium-bearing Kobellite] Jonsson (1993) +1 other reference |
Switzerland | |
| Stalder et al. (1998) +1 other reference |
| Ansermet (2012) |
UK | |
| |
USA | |
| USGS OFR 98-287 (Freeman,1998) |
| Nokleberg (2005) |
| Dana et al. (1892) |
| Dana 7:I:447. |
| Bart Cannon |
| J.Wright Horton |
| Rocks & Min.: 60:99. +2 other references |
| Dietrich (1990) |
Uzbekistan | |
| Anthony et al. (1990) |
Vietnam | |
| Nevolko et al. (2019) |
Quick NavTopAbout KobelliteUnique IdentifiersSimilar NamesIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPhysical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence Other LanguagesVarietiesRelationshipsCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Elisabeth Mine, Gemerská Poloma, Rožňava District, Košice Region, Slovakia