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| Chalcopyrite
is named from the Greek word chalkos for copper
and Pyrite, hence "Copper Pyrite."
| Discovered
in 1747;
IMA
status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered) |
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Chemistry
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Chemical
Formula: |
CuFeS2
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Copper
Iron Sulfide |
Molecular
Weight: |
521.21 gm
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Composition: |
Iron |
30.43 % |
Fe |
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Copper |
34.63 % |
Cu |
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Sulfur |
34.94 % |
S |
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100.00 % |
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Classification
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Mineral
Classification: |
Sulfides
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Strunz 8th
Ed. ID:
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2/C.03-10
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Nickel-Strunz 10th
Ed. ID:
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2.CB.10
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2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides;
arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites,
sulfbismuthites, etc.) C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar) B :
With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
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Related
to: |
Chalcopyrite
Group. Chalcopyrite - Eskebornite Series.
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Members
of Group: |
Chalcopyrite
Group: Chalcopyrite, Eskebornite,
Gallite, Laforκtite, Lenaite, Roquesite
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Varieties: |
Auriferous Chalcopyrite,
Blister Copper, Stannian Chalcopyrite
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Synonyms: |
Chalkopyrite,
Copper Pyrites, Cupropyrite, Gelferz, Kopparglasertz,
Kupfereisenerz, Kupfereisenerzkies, Kupferkis, Towanite,
Yellow Copper, Yellow Copper Ore, Yellow Pyrite
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Crystal
Data
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Crystallography:
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Tetragonal
- Scalenohedral
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Crystal
Habit:
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Equant,
tetrahedral-shaped crystals, may be modified by scalenohedral
faces, to as large as 10 cm. Sphenoidal faces typically
large, dull in luster and striated. Commonly massive,
compact; can be botryoidal.
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Twinning:
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Twin
plane {112}, composition surface commonly {112}; twin
plane {012}; also by rotation about {001} with composition
plane {110}, producing penetration twins.
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Physical
Properties
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Cleavage: |
Poor/Indistinct
on {011}, Poor/Indistinct on {111}
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Fracture: |
Irregular/Uneven
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Tenacity:
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Brittle
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Moh's
Hardness: |
3.5
- 4.0
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Density:
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4.1
- 4.3 (g/cm3)
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Luminescence:
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None
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Radioactivity:
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Not
Radioactive
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Other: |
Magnetic
after heating.
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Optical
Properties
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Color: |
Brass
Yellow, honey Yellow; may be tarnished and iridescent
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Transparency: |
Opaque
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Luster: |
Metallic
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Refractive
Index: |
R1R2:
(400) 16.017.3, (420) 20.021.3, (440) 24.826.1, (460)
30.231.4, (480) 34.935.9, (500) 38.939.9, (520) 41.942.7,
(540) 44.044.9, (560) 45.446.4, (580) 46.647.6, (600)
47.148.3, (620) 47.54.86, (640) 47.648.7, (660) 47.648.7,
(680) 47.648.6, (700) 47.648.6
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Birefringence: |
None;
Opaque
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Dispersion: |
None
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Pleochroism: |
None
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Anisotrophism: |
Weak
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Occurances
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Geological
Setting: |
A
primary mineral in hydrothermal veins, stockworks, disseminations,
and massive replacements; an exsolution product in mafic
igneous rocks; of sedimentary origin controlled by redox
conditions. |
Common
Associations: |
Galena,
Pyrite, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite, many Copper Sulfides
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Common
Impurities: |
Ag,
Au, In, Tl, Se, Te |
Type
Locality: |
Unknown
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Year
Discovered: |
1747
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View
mineral photos: |
Chalcopyrite
Mineral Photos and Locations |
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More
Information
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Mindat.org
Webmineral.com
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Chalcopyrite is
a fairly common mineral that is often confused with
Pyrite (FeS2). Chalcopyrite typically has a brass yellow
color and my be tarnished and iridescent. It is one
of the minerals sometimes refered to as "Fool's
Gold" because of its bright golden color. Its widespread
distribution and large quantities make Chalcopyrite
a major ore of copper even though its yeild of only
25% is rather low compared to other copper minerals
such as Chalcocite (67%); Cuprite (67%); Bornite (50%);
and Covellite (50%).
Chalcopyrite
is found in many localities worldwide. Notable occurances
include Rouyn district, Quebec, Canada; Huaron, Peru;
the Nababiep
Mine, Cape Province, South Africa; and Bisbee,
Cochise County, Arizona, USA.
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Chalcopyrite
gems for sale:
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have not photographed our Chalcopyrite gems. Please
check back soon.
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