mineral
Bornite (Peacock Ore)
Bornite (Cu5FeS4)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Brownish-bronze (fresh), iridescent purple/blue (tarnished); Luster: Metallic; Crystal structure: Orthorhombic; Specific Gravity: 5.06-5.08
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Brownish-bronze (fresh), iridescent purple/blue (tarnished)
- Luster
- Metallic
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Brownish-bronze (fresh), iridescent purple/blue (tarnished); Luster: Metallic; Crystal structure: Orthorhombic; Specific Gravity: 5.06-5.08
Formation & geological history
Formed in hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic zones, and as a secondary mineral in enriched copper deposits. Found globally in copper-rich geological environments.
Uses & applications
A significant ore of copper, though it is also highly sought after by mineral collectors for its iridescent colors.
Geological facts
Commonly nicknamed 'peacock ore' due to its spectacular blue-purple tarnish. It was named after the Austrian mineralogist Ignaz von Born in 1845.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its iridescent 'oil-slick' tarnish and the fact that a fresh scratch reveals a bronze-colored interior. Commonly found in copper mines in locations like Arizona, Chile, and Mexico.
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