Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rare mineral: Cobaltite is a naturally occurring, uncommon mineral.
   • Composition and appearance: It is a sulfide of cobalt and arsenic (CoAsS), typically possessing a metallic luster and a silvery-white to reddish-white color.
   • Economic importance: It is a significant and valuable source (ore) of the metal cobalt.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the specimen as cobaltite due to its distinctive metallic luster and crystal structure.
  • This mine is one of the few known sources of cobaltite, making it crucial for cobalt production.

Advanced Usage

• In mineralogy: The term is used precisely to describe the specific mineral species CoAsS within the pyrite group.
  • Under the microscope, the cobaltite exhibited perfect cubic cleavage.

Variants and Related Words

• Cobalt (n): The metallic element (Co) extracted from ores like cobaltite.
  • Cobalt is used in high-strength alloys and rechargeable batteries.
• Cobaltic (adj): Relating to or containing cobalt, especially with a valence of three.
• Cobaltine: An alternative, less common spelling for "cobaltite."

Synonyms

• Cobalt glance: An older, synonymous name for the mineral cobaltite.

Related Phrases / Idioms

(This term is a specific scientific noun; it is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions or phrasal verbs.)

Noun

1. a rare silvery-white mineral; important ore of cobalt