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Bornite

Sulfide Mineral Pictures

From Andrew Alden, About.com

Bornite (Cu5FeS4)is one of the lesser copper ore minerals, but its color makes it highly collectible. (more below)
Copper iron sulfidePhoto (c) 2009 Andrew Alden, licensed to About.com
Bornite stands out for the amazing metallic blue-green color it turns after exposure to the air. That gives bornite the nickname peacock ore. Bornite has a Mohs hardness of 3 and a dark gray streak.

Copper sulfides are a closely related mineral group, and they often occur together. In this bornite specimen are also bits of golden metallic chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and areas of dark-gray chalcocite (Cu2S). The white matrix is calcite. I'm guessing that the green, mealy-looking mineral is sphalerite (ZnS), but don't quote me.

Other Hydrothermal Vein Minerals

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