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Delafossite

Big Photo

Clara Mine, Rankach valley, Oberwolfach, Wolfach, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
© Stephan Wolfsried

Show Delafossite Photos (22)
Formula:
CuFeO
 
2
System:TrigonalColour:Black, brown-white in ...
Lustre:MetallicHardness:5½
Name:After G. Delafosse (1796-1878), French mneralogist.


Delafossite Group.

Classification of Delafossite

IMA status:Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
Strunz 8th edition ID:4/A.05-30
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:4.AB.15

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
A : Metal: Oxygen = 2:1 and 1:1
B : M:O = 1:1 (and up to 1:1.25); with small to medium-sized cations only
Dana 8th edition ID:7.1.1.1

7 : MULTIPLE OXIDES
1 : ABX2
Hey's CIM Ref.:7.3.6

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
3 : Oxides of Cu
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Type Occurrence of Delafossite

Type Locality:Mednorudyanskoye Cu Deposit, Nizhnii Tagil, Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast', Middle Urals, Urals Region, Russia
Year of Discovery:1873

Physical Properties of Delafossite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:Black, brown-white in reflected light
Streak:Black
Hardness (Mohs):5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
{101¯0}
Density (measured):5.41 g/cm3
Density (calculated):5.52 g/cm3

Crystallography of Delafossite

Crystal System:Trigonal
Class (H-M):3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral
Cell Parameters:a = 3.04Å, c = 17.12Å
Ratio:a:c = 1 : 5.632
Unit Cell Volume:V 137.02 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Morphology:Crystals tabular {0001} to equant, with {0001} and {101¯1} as dominant forms. Botryoidal crusts.
Twinning:Contact twins on {0001} noted.

Optical Data of Delafossite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:Strong
Colour in reflected light:Rose brown-white
Pleochroism:Visible
Comments:O = light golden-brown
E = darker rose-brown

Chemical Properties of Delafossite

Formula:
CuFeO
 
2
Essential elements:Cu, Fe, O
All elements listed in formula:Cu, Fe, O

Relationship of Delafossite to other Species

Member of Group:
Delafossite Group:
ABO
 
2
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
4.AB.05Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
4.AB.10Tenorite
CuO
4.AB.15Mcconnellite
CuCrO
 
2
4.AB.20Bromellite
BeO
4.AB.20Zincite
(Zn,Mn
2+
 
,Fe
2+
 
)O
4.AB.25Bunsenite
NiO
4.AB.25Lime
CaO
4.AB.25Manganosite
MnO
4.AB.25Monteponite
CdO
4.AB.25Periclase
MgO
4.AB.25Wüstite
FeO
4.AB.30Palladinite
PdO
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
7.3.1Cuprite
Cu
 
2
O
7.3.2Tenorite
CuO
7.3.3Paramelaconite
Cu
 
2
Cu
 
2
O
 
3
7.3.4Spertiniite
Cu(OH)
 
2
7.3.5Crednerite
CuMnO
 
2
7.3.7Cuprospinel
Cu
2+
 
Fe
3+
2
O
 
4

Other Names for Delafossite

Other Languages:
German:Delafossit
Russian:Делафоссит
Spanish:Delafossita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Delafossite

Reference List:Friedel (1873), Comptes rendus, Académie des sciences, Paris: 77: 211.

Rogers (1913), American Journal of Science: 35: 290.

Pabst (1938), American Mineralogist: 23: 175.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 674-675.

Acta Crystallographica: C47: 2644-2646.

Internet Links for Delafossite

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  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
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    Localities for Delafossite

    Hide Locality List
    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Argentina
     
    • Catamarca
      • Belen Department
        • Farallón Negro
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    • Mendoza
      • Uspallata
        • Paramillos de Uspallata
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    • Neuquén
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    • Santa Cruz
      • Macizo del Deseado
    		Brodtkorb (2002): Las Especies Minerales de la Republica Argentina
    Atlantic Ocean
     
    • Mid-Atlantic Ridge complex
    		Econ Geol (1976) 71:1515-1525
    Australia
     
    • Queensland
      • Mt Isa - Cloncurry area
        • Cloncurry District
          • Cloncurry
    		No reference listed
    • South Australia
      • Flinders Ranges
        • South Flinders Ranges
          • Wilmington
    		No reference listed
      • Mt Lofty Ranges
        • South Mt Lofty Ranges
          • Clarendon
    		Kolitsch, U. and Elliott, P. (1999): Mineralogy of the Mount Malvern Mine near Clarendon, South Australia. Australian J. Mineral. 5, 3-17.
    • Tasmania
      • Queenstown district
    		Ralph Bottrill et al in prep.
    Bottrill RS & Baker, WE (in prep) Catalogue of Minerals of Tasmania. Mineral Resources Tasmania
    Austria
     
    • Carinthia
      • Friesach - Hüttenberg area
        • Hüttenberg
    		ETTINGER, K. & MÖRTL, J. (1993): Delafossit vom Hüttenberger Erzberg (Ma. Waitschach), Kärnten, Österreich. - Aufschluss 44, 39-43.
    G. Niedermayr, I. Praetzel: Mineralien Kärntens, 1995
    Ettinger, K., Mörtl, J., (1993): Delafossit vom Hüttenberger Erzberg, (Ma. Waitschach), Kärnten, Österreich, Der Aufschluss, Vol. 44, 39-43
    • Salzburg
      • Hohe Tauern Mts
        • Stubach valley
    		A. Strasser: Die Minerale Salzburgs (1989)
    Azerbaijan
     
    • Ağdam (Agdam) District
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Belgium
     
    • Luxembourg Province
      • Stavelot Massif
    		Michel Bloindieau
          • Cahai (Cahay)
    		No reference listed
    China
     
    • Hubei Province
      • Huangshi Prefecture
        • Daye Co.
          • Edong Mining District
    		Collection of NHM, Vienna
    • Jiangxi Province
      • Jiujiang Prefecture
        • Jiujiang Co.
          • Jiurui Mining District
    		http://www.smartminerals.com/cina2004/art_Jiangxi.htm
    • Tibet Autonomous Region
      • Qamdo (Changdu) Prefecture
        • Jomdo (Jiangda) Co.
    		Gu, X.X., Tang, J.X., Wang, C.S., Chen, J.P., and He, B.B. (2003): Mineralogy and Petrology 78, 1-20
    http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2005/1060/PorCu.txt
    Cyprus
     
    • Nicosia District
      • Skouriotissa
    		American Mineralogist (1975): 60: 1013-1018.
    Czech Republic
     
    • Moravia (Mähren; Maehren)
      • Vysočina Region
        • Štěpánov nad Svratkou
    		Velebil, D., Kráčmar, L.: Ložisko Borovec u Štěpánova (štěpánovský revír). Minerál, 2002, roč. 10, č. 3, s. 163-181.
    France
     
    • Alsace
      • Bas-Rhin
        • Villé Valley
    		Wittern, Journée: "Mineralien finden in den Vogesen", von Loga (Cologne), 1997
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
      • Aude
        • Carcassonne
          • Mas-Cabardès
            • Salsigne
    		 Le Règne Minéral, Hors série (3), 36-54
        • Narbonne
          • Tuchan
            • Padern
    		Favreau, G., Berbain, C. & Meisser, N. (2003): Cyanophyllite et autres minéraux rares de Padern (Aude). Le Cahiers des Micromonteurs, 82(4), 17-23.
    • Midi-Pyrénées
      • Tarn
        • Alban
          • Paulinet
            • Saint-Jean-de-Jeannes
    		desescaut.jy@voila.fr
    • Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
      • Alpes-Maritimes
        • Puget-Théniers
          • La-Croix-sur-Roudoule
    		R. Pierrot, P. Picot, J. Féraud, J. Vernet : "Inventaire Minéralogique de la France N° 4 : Alpes-Maritimes", BRGM, 1974
    Germany
     
    • Baden-Württemberg
      • Black Forest
        • Freudenstadt
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", Schweizerbart (Stuttgart), 2001
    K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Gengenbach
          • Haigerach valley
    		Wittern,A. (1995) Mineralien finden im Schwarzwald
        • Schenkenzell
          • Wittichen
            • Burgfelsen
    		No reference listed
            • Heubach Valley
    		No reference listed
    K. Walenta: "Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes", Weise (Munich), 1992
        • Wolfach
          • Oberwolfach
            • Rankach valley
    		Walenta, K. (1992): Die Mineralien des Schwarzwaldes. Chr. Weise Verlag, München, 336 pp. (in German)
    • Bavaria
      • Upper Palatinate
        • Oberpfälzer Wald
          • Waldsassen
            • Pfaffenreuth
    		Lapis, 10 (9), 13-20+50.
    • Hesse
      • Odenwald
        • Bensheim
    • Lower Saxony
      • Harz Mts
        • Lautenthal
          • Wolfshagen
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", 1990
    • North Rhine-Westphalia
      • Bergisches Land
        • Engelskirchen
          • Loope
    		Habel, B. & Linder, R. (2009): Die Grube \"Castor\" bei Loope und ihre Mineralien. Mineralien-Welt 20 (3), 10-23
      • Eifel Mts
        • Düren
          • Untermaubach
    		Schachner, D., (1961): Blei-Zink-Lagerstätten im Buntsandstein der Triasmulde Maubach-Mechernich-Kall, Der Aufschluss, 10. Sonderheft
      • Siegerland
        • Eiserfeld
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
          • Kohlenbach Valley
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Gosenbach
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
        • Littfeld
          • Silberg
    		Mineralien-Welt 19 (1), 28-35.
        • Müsen
    		Der Aufschluss 2000(2), 71-123
        • Niederschelden
    		Lapis, 12 (12), 23-31+42.
        • Wilnsdorf
    		Mineralien-Welt 19 (3) (2008), 28-41.
          • Niederdielfen
    		Hucko, S. & Reinhardt, M. (2009): Der Bergbau am Grimberg in Niederdielfen. Mineralien-Welt 20 (2), 8-16 (in German).
    • Rhineland-Palatinate
      • Eifel Mts
        • Mayen
          • Langenfeld
            • St Jost
    		Graf, HW., (1991): Die Grube Bendisberg, bei Virneburg / Eifel, Mineralien-Welt 5/91
      • Kirchheimbolanden
        • Orbis
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
      • Lahn valley
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundorte in Deutschland", 2001
          • Frücht
    		Der Aufschluss Vol.55, March/April 2004
      • Siegerland
        • Betzdorf
          • Brachbach
    		Emser Hefte 1987(4), 62-67
          • Schutzbach
    		Weiss: "Mineralfundstellen, Deutschland West", Weise (Munich), 1990
        • Gebhardshain
          • Kausen
    		Wittern: "Mineralfundstellen in Deutschland", 2001
        • Niederfischbach
          • Niederndorf
    		Henrich, J. M. (2007: Die Mineralien der Grube Fürst Moritz bei Niederndorf. Mineralien-Welt 18 (4), 20-26. (in German)
    Greece
     
    • Attikí (Attica; Attika) Prefecture
      • Lavrion (Laurion; Laurium) District
        • Lavrion District Mines
          • Agios Konstantinos [St Constantine] (Kamariza)
    		No reference listed
    Hungary
     
    • Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Co.
      • Szalonnai Mts.
    		Szakáll & Gatter: Hun. Min. Spec., 1993
    India
     
    • Madhya Pradesh
      • Balaghat District
    		Panigrahi, M.K., and Mookherjee, A. (1997): Mineralium Deposita 32, 133-148.
    Indonesia
     
    • Moluccas Islands
      • Maluku Province (Moluccas Province)
        • Bacan Island
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Ireland
     
    • Co. Kerry
      • Killarney
        • Lough Leane
    		Ixer, R.A. 2004. Catalogue of Petrographic Descriptions for Rock and Ore Samples, Ross Island Mine. In: O\'Brien, W. ed. Ross Island - Mining, Metal and Society in Early Ireland. Bronze Age Studies 6, Department of Archaeology, National University of Ireland, Galway, 768pp.
    Italy
     
    • Emilia-Romagna
      • Parma Province
        • Berceto
          • Corchia mine
    		ADORNI F., GUELFI F. (1997) - La miniera di Fe e Cu di Corchia, Berceto, Appennino Parmense. - Riv. Min. It., N. 3, 217-250.
    • Liguria
      • Genova Province
        • Genova
          • Borzoli
    		M.E. Ciriotti (2005) Probed
    • Lombardy
      • Brescia Province
        • Camonica Valley
          • Pisogne
            • Fraine
    		Britvin S., Sturla M., Bonacina E., Zambetti L., 2003. Nuovi minerali della miniera del Duadello (Val Pisogne, Brescia). Riv. Mineral. Ital., 27 (2): 107-108.
      • Sondrio Province
    		AA. VV., 1996. Collezionare minerali. Hobby & Work.
    • Piedmont
      • Alessandria Province
        • Voltaggio
    		Piccoli, G. C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., & Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo F. Eusebio - Alba, 607 pag.
      • Torino Province
        • Canavese District
          • Léssolo
            • Cálea
    		M.E. Ciriotti (2005) Probed
        • Sesia-Lanzo zone
          • Lanzo Valley
            • Viù Valley
              • Usseglio
    		Piccoli, G.C., Maletto, G., Bosio, P., Lombardo, B. (2007). Minerali del Piemonte e della Valle d'Aosta. Associazione Amici del Museo "F. Eusebio" Alba, Ed., Alba (Cuneo) 607 pp.
    • Tuscany
      • Livorno Province
        • Piombino
    		Lapis, 20 (4), 13-18+50.
    Japan
     
    • Shikoku Island
      • Ehime Prefecture
        • Niihama
    		Minakawa & Dehara (2005) Koubutsu-Gakkai Kou'en-Youshi, 150.
    Luxembourg
     
    • Goesdorf commune
      • Goesdorf
    Mexico
     
    • Durango
      • Mun. de Mapimí
        • Buruguilla
    		Panczner(1987):105-373.
        • Mapimí
    		Rocks & Min.: 56:247.
    • Sonora
      • Sonoripa District
    		Dana 7:I:674.
    Mongolia
     
    • Bulgan Aimag
      • Erdenet
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Pakistan
     
    • Balochistan (Baluchistan)
      • Chagai District
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    Russia
     
    • Urals Region
      • Middle Urals
        • Ekaterinburgskaya (Sverdlovskaya) Oblast'
          • Nizhnii Tagil
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Slovakia
     
    • Košice Region
      • Eastern Slovenské Rudohorie Mts
        • Gelnica ore belt
    		Pauliš P., Ďuďa R., 2002: Nejzajimavejší mineralogická nalezište Slovenska. Kuttna, Kutná Hora, 134p.
    Háber,M., 1980: Mineralogische – geochemische und paragenetische Erfoschung hydrotermaler Gänge im Gebiet zwischen Prakovce und Kojšov (SGR). Záp.Karpáty – sér. Miner.,petrograf.,geochém., metalog., 7 – 131
        • Medzev
    		Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
    Koděra, M. et al., 1986 a 1990 : Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, diel 1- 3, Veda – Vydavateľstvo SAV, Bratislava, 1990, 1 – 1590k
        • Rožňava (Rozsnyo; Rosenau) Mining District
    		Pauliš P., Ďuďa R., 2002:Nejznámejší mineralogická nalezište Slovenska. Kuttna, Kutná Hora, 136p
    South Africa
     
    • Northwest Province
      • Western Bushveld Complex
        • Brits District
    		Species list by Dr. Hans Börner
    Spain
     
    • Andalusia
      • Seville
        • El Pedroso
    		Dana 7:I:674.
    • Basque Country
      • Álava
        • Legutiano
          • Ollerías district
    		http://vetamineral-minerales-alava.blogspot.com/search/label/Oller%C3%ADas
    UK
     
    • England
      • Cornwall
        • Mount's Bay District
          • Marazion
    		BMS Database
    USA
     
    • Alaska
      • Yukon-Koyukuk Borough
        • Kaiyuh District
    		U.S. Geological Survey, 2008, Alaska Resource Data File (ARDF): U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1225.
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Dubacher Canyon
    		MRDS database Dep. ID file #10096107, MRDS ID #TC40403.
        • Mule Mts
          • Warren District
    		No reference listed
              • Calumet and Arizona group of claims (Calumet and Arizona Mining Company group of claims)
    		various added photos
              • Queen Hill
    		MRDS database Dep. ID file #10046248, MRDS ID #M241115.
    Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 108.
      • Graham Co.
        • Gila Mts
          • Lone Star District (Safford District; Dos Pobres District)
            • Sanchez
    		MRDS database Dep. ID #10026888, MRDS ID #M000791.
      • Pinal Co.
        • Dripping Spring Mts
          • Mineral Creek District (Ray District)
            • Scott Mountain area
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 200; Jones, R.W. & W.E. Wilson (1983), The Ray mine, Min.Rec.: 14(5): 311-322.
      • Yavapai Co.
        • Black Hills (Black Hill Range)
          • Verde District
            • Jerome
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 200.
    • California
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • Clark Mts
          • Clark Mountain District
            • Pactolus
              • Mohawk Hill
    		[Mineralien Welt 1/93:44]
    • Idaho
      • Lemhi Co.
        • Eureka District
          • Salmon
            • Sal Mountain
    		Dana 7:I:675.
    • Nevada
      • Eureka Co.
    		Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999
      • Lyon Co.
        • Yerington District
          • Yerington
    		Rocks & Minerals, Nov. 1999
      • Pershing Co.
        • Antelope District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
      • White Pine Co.
        • Robinson District
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    AmMin 7:102-103 (1922).
    NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
          • Tripp-Veteran pit
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New Mexico
      • Sierra Co.
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
          • Chloride
    		Minerals of New Mexico 3rd ed.
      • Socorro Co.
    		[MinRec 20:24]
    Min Rec 20:1 pp13-24
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2009. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them.Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register. Current server date and time: 27th Oct 2009 03:02:09