Cuprite

Cu₂O

A vibrant red, crystalline specimen of cuprite is shown, with a pen for scale. The mineral exhibits a deep, rich red hue and appears to be composed of granular or blocky crystals.

Cuprite Physical Properties

Mohs Hardness

3.5

Crystal System

cubic

Luster

adamantine

Streak Color

reddish-brown

Cleavage

poor on {111}

Fracture

conchoidal

Specific Gravity

6.1

Colors

red, brownish-red, blackish-red

Transparency

transparent

Type Locality

Tsumeb (Namibia), Bisbee (Arizona, USA), Cornwall (England)

Mineral Group

Oxides

Uses

minor ore of copper, collector's mineral

Associated Minerals

native copper, azurite, malachite, chrysocolla, tenorite

Rarity

uncommon

Geological Context

Cuprite is a secondary mineral that forms in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide deposits. It typically occurs as an alteration product of primary copper minerals like chalcopyrite and bornite.

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Related Specimens

Bromargyrite

Actinolite

Peridot

Wavellite

Emerald

Euclase