Specifications
Descrizione
Locality: Bou Azzer District, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Skutterudite is a cobalt arsenide, CoAs3, with some nickel and iron often taking the place of cobalt. It was named in 1845 for its type locality, the Skuterud mines at Modum in Norway. It is tin-white to silver-grey with a metallic lustre, often tarnishing grey or iridescent, and is heavy, with a density of about 6.5. Its crystals are cubic, growing as cubes, octahedra or dodecahedra.
According to the mining company Managem, the deposit was found after the French industrialist Jean Epinat saw arsenate minerals for sale in Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna square in 1928. Local people used cobalt arsenate minerals against insects and rats. Artisanal mining began in 1932 and industrial mining in 1934, and Bou Azzer remains a cobalt mine today.
The Bou Azzer district lies in Morocco's central Anti-Atlas, about 120 km southwest of Ouarzazate. Its cobalt, nickel and iron arsenide ores occur in a body of serpentinised Neoproterozoic ophiolite, a slice of ancient ocean floor, mostly along contacts between the serpentinite and harder rocks such as diorite. Geologists still debate when and how the ores formed.
This one of a kind Skutterudite mineral specimen from Morocco features a rugged metallic matrix with bright silver-gray Skutterudite crystal faces scattered across the surface. A pale white to translucent calcite crystal formation sits prominently along the top, while smaller milky prismatic calcite crystals fill crevices through the center and lower edge. The contrast between the dark steel-like base, mirror-bright metallic points, and soft white calcite growth gives this specimen a bold and highly collectible display presence.
Skutterudite is a cobalt arsenide mineral first described from Skutterud, Norway, which is where the mineral gets its name. It commonly forms in hydrothermal veins and is often associated with cobalt, nickel, arsenide, and carbonate minerals. Moroccan Skutterudite specimens are most often linked to the famous Bou Azzer mining district, a world-renowned cobalt locality known for producing striking metallic minerals and attractive collector specimens.
Spiritually, Skutterudite is often associated with grounding, strength, protection, and steady focus. Its heavy metallic appearance gives it a strong, stabilizing presence, making it a mineral that many collectors connect with resilience, discipline, and practical energy. Calcite is commonly linked with clarity and steady personal growth. Together, these minerals are sometimes viewed as a combination for practical thinking, stability, and staying centred during demanding situations.
Chemical Composition: Calcite: CaCO3, Skutterudite: CoAs3
Skutterudite is a cobalt arsenide (CoAs3) and contains arsenic. Handle with care, wash your hands after handling, do not lick or ingest, and keep away from children and pets.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.