mineral
Chalcopyrite
CuFeS2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, brass-yellow to golden-yellow color often with an iridescent tarnish, metallic luster, and a greenish-black streak.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, brass-yellow to golden-yellow color often with an iridescent tarnish, metallic luster, and a greenish-black streak.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and sedimentary rock settings through hydrothermal activity and magmatic segregation.
Uses & applications
Primary ore of copper, and widely collected for its striking iridescent tarnish in tumbled or raw mineral form.
Geological facts
Often called "peacock ore" due to its vibrant, multicolored tarnish caused by surface oxidation when exposed to air.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its softer hardness, brassy golden color, and iridescent purple and blue tarnish; commonly found worldwide in copper-bearing deposits.
