Mineralpedia Details for Bornite
Bornite
Name after Austria mineralogist Ignaz Elder von Born. Bornite is a common mineral that is widespread and can be found in thousands of localities worldwide, some of which, for fine crystals, include in the United States, England, Zimbabwe, Austria, Kazakhstan, Morocco, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. It occurs with and in mafic igneous rocks, contact metamorphic skarn deposits, pegmatites, mid- to high-temperature hydrothermal deposits, and in sedimentary cupriferous shale. Bornite is only stable below around 200 degrees Celsius. Associated minerals include chalcopyrite, pyrite, copper and iron sulfides, garnets, calcite, wollastonite, and quartz.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/bornite.pdf
- Formula
- Cu5FeS4
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal Habit
- Massive - Granular, Reniform, Granular
- Cleavage
- Imperfect, None, None
- Luster
- Metallic
- Color
- copper red, bronze brown, purple
- Streak
- grayish black
- Class
- Orthorhombic - Dipyramidal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 3
- WebMineral
- View Bornite
- Mindat
- View Bornite
Bornite from Dzhezkazgan mine, Karagandy, Kazakhstan
Well formed nicely iridescent crystals to 3mm.
Bornite from Eagle Picher mine, Shullsburg, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin, United States
Large plate of bluish to purple iridescent Bornite with crystals to 6mm.
Bornite from Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, United States
Large chunk rich in Bornite and other sulfides.
