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Mineralpedia Details for Chalcopyrite

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Chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite

Named from the Greek words for “copper,” chalkos, and for “fire,” pyr, likely in reference to the color of the mineral as well as its copper content. While similar to pyrite, Chalcopyrite is distinguished physically and visually as being softer and a brighter yellow with a green hue when wet. Chalcopyrite is extremely common and widespread. Outstanding localities for Chalcopyrite include in the United States, Mexico, Peru, Canada, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Japan, and South Africa. Chalcopyrite is commonly found in hydrothermal veins, stockworks, disseminations, massive replacements, mafic igneous exsolutions, and as a sedimentary mineral in reducing and oxidizing conditions.

Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/chalcopyrite.pdf

Formula
Cu1+Fe3+S2 
Crystal System
Tetragonal 
Crystal Habit
Euhedral Crystals, Striated, Druse 
Cleavage
Indistinct, None, None 
Luster
Metallic 
Color
brass yellow, honey yellow 
Streak
greenish black 
Class
Tetragonal - Scalenohedral 
Fracture
Brittle 
Hardness
3.5 
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Chalcopyrite from Trout Lake mine, Cobalt dist., Ontario, Canada

Chalcopyrite
            from Trout Lake mine, Cobalt dist., Ontario, Canada

As William Petruk classified Cobalt ores in "The Silver-Arsenide Deposits of the Cobalt-Gowganda Region, Ontario", this specimen would likely fit into his group number 3, the Co-As assemblage. This group occurs in the main part of most veins and is characterized by large amounts of cobalt arsenides and also carry Chalcopyrite, Tetrahedrite and Arsenopyrite. This is an example of the ore from Cobalt.

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Chalcopyrite from Mid-Continent mine, Cherokee Co., Oklahoma, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Mid-Continent mine, Cherokee Co., Oklahoma, United States

Iridescent blue, green and brassy Chalcopyrite crystals to 3mm with rich coverage over pink Dolomite.

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Chalcopyrite from Huaron, Peru

Chalcopyrite
            from Huaron, Peru

Brassy golden crystals to 1.5cm.

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Chalcopyrite from Stewart mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Stewart mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States
Special Info
Phillips Collection

Outstanding botryoidal habit Chalcopyrite crytals composing the face of pristine specimen.

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Chalcopyrite from Dzhezkazgan mine, Karagandy, Kazakhstan

Chalcopyrite
            from Dzhezkazgan mine, Karagandy, Kazakhstan

Brassy typical Chalcopyrite crystals to over 1cm.

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Chalcopyrite from Yaogangxian mine, Chenzhou, Hunan prov., China

Chalcopyrite
            from Yaogangxian mine, Chenzhou, Hunan prov., China

Brassy gold Chalcopyrite crystals to 1cm with 1cm Arsenopyrite.

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Chalcopyrite from Emperius mine, Creede, Mineral Co., Colorado, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Emperius mine, Creede, Mineral Co., Colorado, United States

Mal-formed but sharp tetrahedral crystals to 6mm amongst quartz crystals.

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Chalcopyrite from Casapalca, Lima Dept., Peru

Chalcopyrite
            from Casapalca, Lima Dept., Peru

Very nice brassy gold Chalcopyrite crystals to 2cm with black Sphalerite and Quartz. 

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Chalcopyrite from Heinrichssegen mine, Littfeld, Siegerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Chalcopyrite
            from Heinrichssegen mine, Littfeld, Siegerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Goldish brassy tetrahedral crytsals to 7mm. This is an older specimen with a Minerals Unlimited label from the "Schmidt Collection" (1870-1925).

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Chalcopyrite from St. Agnes, Cornwall, England

Chalcopyrite
            from St. Agnes, Cornwall, England

A specimen of what was termed "blister copper" in old Cornwall. The specimen is in fact a naturally rare form of Chalcopyrite, but called blister copper for it's remarkable similarity to partially refined copper. Obtained by Shultz from Wards in 1960.

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Chalcopyrite from Twin Buttes mine, Pima Co., Arizona, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Twin Buttes mine, Pima Co., Arizona, United States

A solid mass of brassy golden Chalcopyrite.

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Chalcopyrite from Brushy Creek mine, Reynolds Co., Missouri, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Brushy Creek mine, Reynolds Co., Missouri, United States

Several 3-4mm flashy blue iridescent Chalcopyrite crystals scatttered across matrix. The Chalcopyrite crystals are gold inside.

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Chalcopyrite from Arakawa mine, Kyohwa, Akita, Tohoku, Honshu Island, Japan

Chalcopyrite
            from Arakawa mine, Kyohwa, Akita, Tohoku, Honshu Island, Japan

Large golden well-formed Chalcopyrite crystals to 1cm with one crystal to 2cm. This is a locality not commonly seen on the market. A very nice specimen and a must for any sulfide collector. Ex. Charles Noll collection.

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Chalcopyrite from Cananea dist., Sonora, Mexico

Chalcopyrite
            from Cananea dist., Sonora, Mexico

An amazingly shiny brassy gold Chalcopyrite, massive and encrusted with Quartz.

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Chalcopyrite from Michael Breen mine, Ouray dist., Ouray Co., Colorado, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Michael Breen mine, Ouray dist., Ouray Co., Colorado, United States

Tarnished and slightly iridescent Chalcopyrite tetrahedrons around 1mm in clusters with Galena and Quartz.

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Chalcopyrite from Joplin dist., Jasper Co., Missouri, United States

Chalcopyrite
            from Joplin dist., Jasper Co., Missouri, United States

Iridescent Chalcopyrite crystals to 5mm on dark orange Sphalerite.

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