Chalcopyrite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Islam90" title="User:Islam90">Islam90</a> (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mineral NameChalcopyrite
Chemical FormulaCuFeS2
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemtetragonal
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorgreenish-black
Cleavagepoor to indistinct {011}
Fractureuneven to conchoidal
Specific Gravity4.2
Colorsbrass-yellow, golden-yellow, often tarnishes iridescent
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityWorldwide, common in major copper deposits (e.g., Butte, Montana; Sudbury, Ontario; Rio Tinto, Spain)
Mineral GroupSulfides
Usesprimary ore of copper, collector's specimens
Associated Mineralspyrite, sphalerite, galena, bornite, quartz, calcite
Raritycommon
Description
The image displays a brass-yellow mineral surface, likely under magnification, showing a metallic luster with some darker, possibly tarnished or shadowed areas and fine linear features.
Geological Context
Chalcopyrite is a common ore mineral found in various geological settings, including hydrothermal veins, porphyry copper deposits, volcanic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits, and disseminated in igneous and metamorphic rocks, forming under high-temperature conditions.
