Mineral 1.0: Chalcopyrite

Mineral 1.0

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ChalcopyriteCuFeS₂

Class: Sulfide
Hardness: 3.5 - 4
Density: 4.3 - 4.4
Streak: Greenish black
Lustre: Metallic
Habit: Fine grained to massive aggregates.
Colours: Brass yellow, may be tarnished and iridescent.
   Crystal System: Tetragonal
Cleavage: Poor
Fracture: Conchoidal
Magnetism: None
Reaction with HCl: Very weak
Identification in hand sample:
Distinctive brassy-green colour. Has a richer yellow colour than pyrite and a lower hardness.
Associations:
Most common copper-bearing mineral, found in many hydrothermal sulfide deposits. Often associated with galena, sphalerite, pyrite and other sulfides.
Industrial / ecomonic uses:
Mined for its copper which has innumerable industrial uses.



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