Cuprite Archives - Cochise College Geology

Cuprite

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Chemical Group: Oxide

Chemical Formula: Cu₂O

Color: Red, nearly black Streak: Brownish red

Luster: Adamantine to submetallic; may also be earthy

Hardness: 3.5 t0 4 Specific Gravity: 6.10

Fracture: Conchoidal Tenacity: Brittle

Cleavage: (111) weak

Crystal Forms: Isometric system. Crystals are usually octahedrons, but may also be cubes or dodecahedrons. An acicular form (needle-like) is called chalcotrichite.

Mineral Associations: Malachite, azurite, tenorite, copper, iron oxides

Identifying Characteristics: Softer than hematite, harder than cinnabar

Uses: Copper ore

Occurrences: Found in oxidized zones of copper deposits

Toxicity: When-swallowed: moderate When-inhaled: moderate

Additional Information: Cuprite can be replaced as a malachite pseudomorph.

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Photos

Cuprite 1 2 3 4 5 6

cuprite-gray octahedron crystals-Bisbee — Cuprite - Gray Octahedron Crystals - Bisbee

cuprite-deep red translucent crystals-Bisbee — Cuprite - Deep Red Translucent Crystals - Bisbee

cuprite-octahedron crystals coated with malachite-Africa — Cuprite - octahedron crystals coated with malachite - Africa

cuprite-red acicular crystals-chalcotrichite-Bisbee — Cuprite - Red Acicular Crystals – Chalcotrichite - Bisbee

cuprite-massive with green malachite-Bisbee — Cuprite - Massive With Green Malachite - Bisbee

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