Mineral 1.0: Chalcocite

Mineral 1.0

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ChalcociteCu₂S

Class: Sulfide
Hardness: 2.5 - 3
Density: 5.5 - 5.8
Streak: Blackish lead-gray
Lustre: Dull metallic
Habit: Chunky fracture, massive habit.
Colours: Blackish lead-gray
   Crystal System: Monoclinic
Cleavage: Indistinct
Fracture: Conchoidal
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: None
Identification in hand sample:
Black colour with sooty appearance on weathered surfaces and sectile character are distinctive. Bronze-yellow on fresh surfaces.
Associations:
Found in the supergene-enriched zone of copper-bearing hydrothermal sulfide deposits.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Mined as a source of copper.
Comments:
A substantial amount of material identified as chalcocite may actually be djurleite (Cu₃₁S₁₆), as they are very commonly intergrown.



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