Comparison · Minerals vs Native Elements
Cobaltite vs Silver
Cobaltite and Silver are easy to confuse. Cobaltite is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Silver (Mohs 2.75), so Cobaltite will scratch Silver and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Cobaltite and Silver
- Cobaltite is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Silver (Mohs 2.75), so Cobaltite will scratch Silver and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
- Streak color differs: Cobaltite leaves a grayish black streak on unglazed porcelain, Silver leaves silver white.
- Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
- Silver feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 10.5 versus 6.0–6.3 for Cobaltite).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Cobaltite is Opaque, Silver is opaque.
- They overlap in white and gray, but Cobaltite also comes in pink and red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Cobaltite is Orthorhombic (pseudo-cubic), Silver is cubic.
Cobaltite vs Silver properties
| Property | Cobaltite | Silver |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Native Elements |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 2.75 |
| Luster | Metallic | metallic |
| Streak | Grayish black | Silver white |
| Transparency | Opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 6.0–6.3 | 10.5 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic (pseudo-cubic) | cubic |
| Common colors | Silvery white with pink/reddish tint, Steel gray | Silver white, Gray |
| Rarity | common | rare |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $20–$3000+ |
Which is more valuable?
Silver is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $300 against $20 for Cobaltite, and premium Silver can reach $3000 or more.
About Cobaltite
Cobaltite is cobalt arsenic sulfide, CoAsS, a minor but historically significant ore of cobalt. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with a pseudo-cubic habit, forming silvery white to steel-gray crystals with a faint pinkish tint and a bright metallic luster. It typically occurs in high-temperature hydrothermal veins and contact metamorphic deposits alongside other cobalt and nickel minerals.
About Silver
Silver is a native metallic element with a bright silver-white color, high density, and excellent malleability. In specimens it appears as wires, dendrites, leaves, and crystalline masses, though exposed surfaces usually tarnish to dark gray.
Cobaltite vs Silver FAQ
Is Cobaltite the same as Silver?
No. Cobaltite is a mineral while Silver is a native element. Cobaltite is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Silver (Mohs 2.75), so Cobaltite will scratch Silver and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
How can you tell Cobaltite from Silver?
Cobaltite is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Silver (Mohs 2.75), so Cobaltite will scratch Silver and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Streak color differs: Cobaltite leaves a grayish black streak on unglazed porcelain, Silver leaves silver white. Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
Which is harder, Cobaltite or Silver?
Cobaltite is harder: Mohs 5.5 against Mohs 2.75 for Silver.
Which is more valuable, Cobaltite or Silver?
Silver is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $300 against $20 for Cobaltite, and premium Silver can reach $3000 or more.
