mineral

Copper-bearing rock, likely bornite/chalcopyrite ore in quartz matrix

Bornite (Cu₅FeS₄) and/or chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), with quartz (SiO₂) and dark gangue minerals

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Metallic to dull luster; brown-bronze, gray-black, and green-blue tarnish suggest copper sulfides and secondary copper minerals. Sulfides are typically Mohs 3–4, quartz is 7; massive, irregular texture with no obvious cleavage.

Identified August 19, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Copper-bearing rock, likely bornite/chalcopyrite ore in quartz matrix
Scientific name: Bornite (Cu₅FeS₄) and/or chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), with quartz (SiO₂) and dark gangue minerals
Category: mineral
Identified: August 19, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$30 for a common rough specimen; $30–$100+ if strongly iridescent, attractive, or locality-labeled.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Hydrothermal copper-ore mineralization deposited in fractures or veins, later altered by oxygen-rich groundwater to produce green copper coatings. The precise age and locality cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Collected as a copper-ore specimen and sometimes used for educational display; comparable ore is mined for copper, while quartz-bearing pieces have limited decorative value.

Geological facts

Bornite is called “peacock ore” when its iridescent tarnish is prominent; natural bornite commonly tarnishes from bronze to purple, blue, and green. Green coloration may also represent malachite or chrysocolla.

Field identification & locations

Look for unusually high density, metallic areas, green-blue alteration, and a dark copper sulfide matrix; a streak, hardness, and chemical testing would distinguish bornite from chalcopyrite. Common settings include porphyry-copper and hydrothermal vein deposits.