Gemstone Glossary

Cobalt Calcite

Cobalt Calcite (also called Cobaltocalcite and Cobaltian-Calcite) is very rare and unknown to some mineral collectors. It has a beautiful pink to red color sometimes with white banding in massive forms. The mineral is closely related to Sphaerocobaltite.

Cobalt Calcite is composed of Cobalt carbonate usually with some calcium [(Ca,Co)CO3]. It is an intermediary mineral between Calcite and Sphaerocobaltite (CoCO3).


The result of the presence of the cobalt is that the calcite is colored pink Its coloring effect is magnified with the presence of calcium. Both Sphaerocobaltite and Cobalt Calcite occur in the same localities and usually form identical crystals. Cobalt Calcite ranks 3.5 to 4 on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness with a Specific Gravity of 4.13. Cobalt Calcite is commonly found associated with Calcite, Dolomite and Malachite. It has been found in small deposits at the Danile mine in Neustadtel, Freiberg, Saxony, Germany; Ruashi, Shaba, Zaire; Boleo, Baja California, Mexico; and Zacatecas, Mexico.

Cobalt Calcite is commonly collected as a mineral specimen rather than cut into gemstones. However, its drusy variety with a nice sparkling sheen is becoming very popular as of late within the jewelry industry. With a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Moh’s Scale, Cobalt Calcite is considered a soft stone. Its specimens are very fragile and should be handled with extreme care. It is best to wear in a pendant or earrings rather than as a ring stone.

A pink colored stone, Cobalt Calcite is believed to help in balancing the heart chakra, as it governs the heart, blood, the circulatory system, thymus gland and lungs as well as releasing anger, depression, anguish and irritation.