Mineralpedia Details for Covellite
Covellite
Named after Niccolo Covelli who discovered the mineral at its type locality at Mt. Vesuvius in the Naples province of Campania, Italy. Covellite has thousands of localities worldwide, however rich material comes from localities in Italy, Austria, Germany, Russia, Morocco, the United States, and Argentina. It occurs typically of secondary origin in oxidized copper sulfide deposits, and can be of hydrothermal origin and is commonly found as a tarnish on other sulfides. Covellite is noted as being highly iridescent.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/covellite.pdf
- Formula
- CuS
- Crystal System
- Hexagonal
- Crystal Habit
- Platy, Foliated
- Cleavage
- Perfect, None, None
- Luster
- Metallic
- Color
- indigo blue, light blue, dark blue, black
- Streak
- black gray
- Class
- Hexagonal - Dihexagonal Dipyramidal
- Fracture
- Brittle
- Hardness
- 1.5-2
- WebMineral
- View Covellite
- Mindat
- View Covellite
Covellite from Butte dist., Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States
Covellite crystals showing excellent platy iridescent purple crystals to 1.5cm. The side view of this mineral shows the contact of the copper vein mineralization with the wall rock. Another specimen shows compact purple, platy crystals (6cm).
Covellite from Chuquicamata mine, El Loa Prov., Antofagasta, Chile
Large purplish mass of Covellite.
Covellite from Leonard mine, Butte dist., Silver Bow Co., Montana, United States
Superb platy crystal group of purple-blue Covellite with individual crystals to 7mm.
Covellite from Junction shaft, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, United States
Deep purple Covellite throughout matrix.
Covellite from Summitville dist., Rio Grande Co., Colorado, United States
Blue to purple thin hexagonal crystals to 3mm.
