Cuprite is a mineral composed of copper(I) oxide Cu2O, and is a minor ore of copper. Cuprite. ... Cuprite. ... This article is about minerals in the geologic sense; for nutrient minerals see dietary mineral; for the band see Mineral (band). ... Copper(I) Oxide or Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) is an oxide of copper. ... Iron ore (Banded iron formation) Manganese ore Lead ore Gold ore An ore is a volume of rock containing components or minerals in a mode of occurrence which renders it valuable for mining. ...
Its dark crystals with red internal reflections are in the isometric system hexoctahedral class, appearing as cubic, octahedral, or dodecahedral forms, or in combinations. Penetration twins frequently occur. In spite of its nice color it is rarely used for jewelry because of its low Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4. It has a relatively high specific gravity of 6.1, imperfect cleavage and a brittle to conchoidal fracture. The luster is sub-metallic to brilliant adamantine. The "chalcotrichite" variety typically shows greatly elongated (parallel to [001]) capillary or needle like crystals forms. Cuprite gives the greatest yield of copper per molecule since there is only one oxygen atom to every two copper atoms. In crystallography, the cubic crystal system (or isometric crystal system) is the most symmetric of the 7 crystal systems. ... It has been suggested that twin boundary be merged into this article or section. ... Jewelry (the American spelling; spelled jewellery in Commonwealth English) consists of ornamental devices worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. ... Mohs scale of mineral hardness characterizes the scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer. ... Relative density (also known as specific gravity) is a measure of the density of a material. ...
It is a secondary mineral which forms in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide deposits. It frequently occurs in association with native copper, azurite, chrysocolla, malachite, tenorite and a variety of [iron oxide]] minerals. It is known as ruby copper due to its distinctive red color. Although copper most commonly occurs in oxidized states and mixed with other elements, it is found in its native form in various regions of the world. ... Azurite Azurite ground as a pigment Azurite crystals Azurite is a carbonate mineral with chemical composition Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, (copper carbonate hydroxide). ... Chrysocolla from Nevada, USA. Chrysocolla (hydrated copper silicate) is a mineral, CuSiO3·nH2O. It is of secondary origin and forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. ... Malachite from the Democratic Republic of Congo Malachite is a carbonate mineral, copper(II) carbonate hydroxide Cu2CO3(OH)2. ... Tenorite is a copper oxide mineral with the simple formula CuO. Tenorite occurs in the weathered or oxidized zone associated with deeper primary copper sulfide orebodies. ...
Cuprite was first described in 1845 and the name derives from the Latincuprum for its copper content. Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in the region around Rome called Latium. ...
References
Hurlbut, Cornelius S.; Klein, Cornelis, 1985, Manual of Mineralogy, 20th ed., Wiley, ISBN 0471805807
The colour of the mineral is cochineal-red, and the lustre brilliant and adamantine to submetallic in character; crystals are often translucent, and show a crimsonred colour by transmitted light.
Cuprite occurs in the upper part of copper-bearing lodes, and is of secondary origin, having been produced by the alteration of copper sulphides.
Small crystals of cuprite, together with malachite, azurite and cerussite, are sometimes found encrusting ancient objects of copper and bronze, such as celts and Roman coins, which have for long periods remained buried in the soil.
Description: Cuprite generally forms from the alteration of preexisting copper minerals during weathering or interaction with groundwater in the supergene and oxidized zones over copper deposits.
DOUGLAS COUNTY: Cuprite is found with native copper and malachite at the Weyerhauser Mine, NW SE Sec.
POLK COUNTY: Massive cuprite associated with chalcocite and malachite is found in quartz veins in the north quarry of the Dresser Trap Rock Company property at Dresser at Sec.
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