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Identity HelpBornite, chalcopyrite, or?
7th Dec 2017 21:46 UTCSharonF
Can anyone tell me whether this is bornite, chalcopyrite or something else?
Acid washed or not?
It was labelled covellite but I don't think it is.
Quite heavy and has a grey streak.
Thanks in advance.
7th Dec 2017 22:09 UTCMatt Neuzil Expert
7th Dec 2017 22:19 UTCSharonF
7th Dec 2017 22:20 UTCSharonF
7th Dec 2017 22:58 UTCSharonF
Tried a fine point steel nail file, which does scratch it, and it appears to look the same underneath and the scratch is not really noticeable.
You can see bits that have crumbled off in the streak picture.
8th Dec 2017 00:19 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager
The appearance, streak, and SG certainly match much closer to Covellite than your other options.
8th Dec 2017 00:38 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
8th Dec 2017 08:25 UTCSharonF
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why do you believe it's not Covellite?
> The appearance, streak, and SG certainly match
> much closer to Covellite than your other options.
I generally stick to what I can confidently identify myself when buying. In this case I didn't.
8th Dec 2017 10:36 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
8th Dec 2017 10:58 UTCSharonF
We've got some sunlight now so here's some better pictures.
If it's bornite is the colour treated as all my books seem to suggest it would tarnish to a purplish iridescence if natural?
Edited to add it does look purplish in places.
8th Dec 2017 11:06 UTCSharonF
So peacock ore is another name for tarnished bornite? But then there's a lot of information about that says most of what is sold as peacock ore is actually coated chalcopyrite. So that's what I'm trying to work out really?
8th Dec 2017 11:25 UTCSharonF
8th Dec 2017 11:34 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
8th Dec 2017 12:08 UTCWayne Corwin
8th Dec 2017 12:36 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert
Big problem is there is just a ton of the artificially tarnished material out there, they pretty much use chalcopyrite for this and blue is the main color it turns.
I believe you did it right with removing the tiny piece.
The artificial material is so common out there that the piece doesn't have a lot of value, I have sold pieces like yours for a buck. Nobody asked location and if there is none, then I assume also the artificially tarnished chalcopyrite.
Still a pretty little piece but truly not much value.
8th Dec 2017 12:53 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager
8th Dec 2017 13:01 UTCSharonF
I only had one other piece to compare it to, which is a pink and gold piece I've had for years. I knew that was artificially treated as the seller was clear about it. That has lost a lot of the tarnish over the years and looks brown where the tarnish has come off. However, when I used my cutters in the old piece it comes up exactly the same as this piece.
I'll speak to the seller.
8th Dec 2017 13:17 UTCSharonF
8th Dec 2017 13:53 UTCPeter Keller
8th Dec 2017 15:25 UTCPhilippe Virlet
8th Dec 2017 15:34 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
8th Dec 2017 15:50 UTCSharonF
I've spoken to the seller and he did say he bought peacock ore from the same supplier at the same time but it was completely different, and neither of us had seen peacock ore quite this shade. He's happy to refund me either way, but I'll be happy if it turns out to be bornite.
8th Dec 2017 15:58 UTCDale Foster Manager
Your specimen does look more like Bornite based upon the pictures you have supplied.
8th Dec 2017 16:23 UTCSharonF
The chalcopyrite in your picture looks a similar colour to my pyrite. If that's the case this is definitely a darker colour, almost like rose gold.
8th Dec 2017 16:29 UTCSharonF
-------------------------------------------------------
> This looks like bornite as we can find in Katanga
> (Kipushi, Kambove ...)...
Phillipe, thank you for mentioning a location I think you are correct. My search brought up this page on here and the 2nd picture is very much what it looks like.
https://www.mindat.org/locentry-22846.html
8th Dec 2017 16:49 UTCDonald B Peck Expert
8th Dec 2017 17:06 UTCSharonF
The SpG is throwing me. Could it have some reneirite as that's closer and commonly associated from the same mine? I'd say it's more solid than flakey.
8th Dec 2017 17:52 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
8th Dec 2017 19:40 UTCSharonF
9th Dec 2017 02:51 UTCDonald B Peck Expert
11th Dec 2017 11:00 UTCSharonF
30th Dec 2017 07:06 UTCSuzanne Hedderly
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Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 29, 2024 01:03:28