Description
CHALCOPYRITE SPECIMEN
This is the raw chalcopyrite specimen with calcite and sphalerite. Dimensions: 1.9 x 1.2 x 0.6″ (4.8 x 3 x 1.5cm). Weight – 0.7oz (20 grams). Origin: Russia, Dalnegorsk.
Some information about chalcopyrite:
Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral and the most abundant copper ore mineral. It has the chemical formula CuFeS2 and crystallizes in the tetragonal system. It has a brassy to golden yellow color and a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Its streak is diagnostic as green tinged black.
On exposure to air, chalcopyrite tarnishes to a variety of oxides, hydroxides, and sulfates. Is rarely found in association with native copper. Chalcopyrite is a conductor of electricity.
The name chalcopyrite comes from the Greek words chalkos, which means copper, and pyrites‘, which means striking fire. It was sometimes historically referred to as “yellow copper”.
