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Chalcocite

#RW51262

Chalcocite

#RW51262
Availability
Sold
Size
6.5 x 8 x 4.5 cm - Sm Cabinet 
Formula
Cu2S (RRUFF)
Locality
Chino mine, Grant Co., New Mexico, United States
Tagged
ore mineral , sulfide , copper

Chalcocite has a very distinct color when fresh. This is a split and thus the fresh color can be seen as a dull grey. When scratched with a knife, Chalcocite will show some sectility and is a little softer than Bornite. It is, also, not as brittle as Bornite. This is best seen under the microscope. When massive, like this specimen, a conchoidal fracture can be seen. The vein here is nearly 2cm thick. Chalcocite contains more copper than Bornite coming in at almost 80% and thus a major ore of copper. 

Chalcocite

Formula
Cu2
Crystal System
Monoclinic 
Crystal Habit
Massive, Granular, Euhedral Crystals 
Cleavage
Indistinct, None, None 
Luster
Metallic 
Color
blue black, gray, black, black gray, steel gray 
Streak
grayish black 
Class
Monoclinic - Prismatic 
Fracture
Conchoidal 
Hardness
2.5-3 

Data courtesy of Webmineral.

Collection
Robert J. Waidler Collection

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