Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

╳Discussions

💬 Home 🔎 Search 📅 Latest

Groups

Recent Images in Discussions

Identity HelpCan anyone identify what mineral this is?

7th Apr 2021 18:15 UTCkara92y

Hello all,

This mineral was provided by a Chinese vendor and through direct translation it was specified as copper 青铜红矿 from Jiangxi, China. I was hoping someone can share with me the actual mineral name and information if possible.

Thank you

7th Apr 2021 19:41 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Hi, unfortunately most of the specimen is out of focus. It's best to place it on a plain white piece of paper. The camera will tend to focus on the specimen, and not the fingers, table, etc.

That said, there are at least three minerals present. Without a clear photo my guesses are chalcopyrite (the copper mineral mentioned), galena and maybe quartz or dolomite. I won't confirm these until I see a much clearer photo.

8th Apr 2021 15:31 UTCkara92y

Close up view 1

8th Apr 2021 15:32 UTCkara92y

Close up view 2

8th Apr 2021 15:32 UTCkara92y

Overall View

8th Apr 2021 15:33 UTCkara92y

Close up view 3

8th Apr 2021 15:44 UTCKyle Beucke 🌟

Looks like there might be several minerals here, but nothing appears to be distinctive enough to nail anything down. There might be chalcopyrite (golden yellow), and the blue coating (if it is a coating) may be supergene covellite, which can coat many different sulfide minerals.

If you can break off one of the projecting cubic-looking crystals (maybe on the edge) or at least see where there is a fresh break in one, look for:

-Color

-Any cleavage (perfect flat surfaces)?

-What color powder does it produce upon scratching? Is it pale or black, etc.

It might help determine what those could be.

This is one of those things that might be really easy under a microscope and with some simple tests, but things do not translate well with images.

Kyle

9th Apr 2021 17:59 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

Without having seen the piece in person or tested it, I will stick my neck out far enough to say the dark red colors and crystal shapes I'm seeing look like cuprite, which would be consistent with the original Chinese labeling for copper. The black coating could be tenorite. It must be either that, or something else entirely ;-) .

9th Apr 2021 19:01 UTCAlfredo Petrov Manager

bornite?

Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 26, 2024 21:04:56

Go to top of page