Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
bornite

Chemical Group:    sulfide

Chemical Formula:    Cu₅FeS₄

Color:    copper-red to pinchbeck-brown on freshly chipped surface
     quickly tarnishes to purple, blue, green, red                                                                      

Streak:  gray-black

Hardness:   3       Specific Gravity:  5.06 to 5.08          

Fracture:  conchoidal to uneven          Tenacity: brittle

Luster:  metallic                 Transparency:  opaque

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Isometric system
     Crystals are cubes or dodecahedrons
     Bornite is usually found in massive form.

Mineral Associations: often occurs with chalcopyrite

Identifying Characteristics:  Because of its colorful tarnish, bornite is often known
     as peacock ore.

Uses:  copper ore

Occurrences:  Butte, Montana 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- moderate           when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: