
Most of the "peacock ore" they sell is treated chalcopyrite probably because it stays colorful a lot longer (indefinitely) and is cheaper to buy than bornite. Bornite is only relatively briefly colorful and eventually turns black which chalcopyrite will not do.
Is chalcopyrite and pyrite the same thing?
Apr 08, 2020 · Bornite is an important copper ore mineral found in many different types of copper deposit. It is also known as peacock ore because of its iridescent purple-blue-green tarnish. Fresh bornite, however, is copper red. Chalcopyrite is commonly found in sulphide deposits in most ore-forming environments. Click to see full answer.
How can I tell the difference between chacolcite and bornite?
Mar 30, 2013 · 30th Mar 2013 14:19 UTCReiner Mielke Expert. The first is probably as Stephanie said treated Chalcopyrite, however the second may be Chalcocite. Freshly broken bornite is brown ( tarnishes in a few days to bluish grey) whereas freshly broken chacolcite is dark bluish grey. You will need to break a corner off to find out.
What is the difference between covellite and bornite?
However, the chalcopyrite you see that looks like bornite has been treated with acid (it is more common than bornite and is often sold as bornite, so be wary of scams). A way to tell the difference between bornite and acid-treated chalcopyrite is to use a streak plate; bornite streaks dark gray and chalcopyrite streaks a green tinged black.
What is the difference between bornite and pyrite?
Apr 07, 2022 · What is chalcopyrite and bornite? If it’s a brassy yellow with a green tinge and green/black streak, it’s chalcopyrite. If it’s a reddish/bronze colour (fresh surface) with a grey/black streak , it’s bornite.

Is chalcopyrite the same as bornite?
Mineralogy. Bornite is an important copper ore mineral and occurs widely in porphyry copper deposits along with the more common chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite and bornite are both typically replaced by chalcocite and covellite in the supergene enrichment zone of copper deposits.
Is peacock ore the same as chalcopyrite?
Chalcopyrite is also known as Peacock Ore because of its lovely iridescent green, blue, pink, purple, and gold colors that resemble the feathers of a peacock. The colors of Chalcopyrite come from the oxidation of copper and iron in the crystal. It's a common mineral that can be found in most sulfide deposits.
What is chalcopyrite and bornite?
If it's a brassy yellow with a green tinge and green/black streak, it's chalcopyrite. If it's a reddish/bronze colour (fresh surface) with a grey/black streak, it's bornite.Jan 29, 2010
What is peacock ore chalcopyrite?
Peacock Ore Tumbled Stone, also called Chalcopyrite, is a strong stone to combat negative energies. It is a “a stone of the mystic” and it enhances our connection and communication with the universe, bringing information for the self and others from surrounding ethereal energies.
What is bornite used for?
Bornite is the stone of happiness and imparts the message that life is truly joyful. Bornite is used to protect from negativity and remove blocks that prevent reaching goals. Bornite helps release that which is no longer useful, breaking old patterns of thought and emotion.
What chakra is bornite?
Chakra Alignment: Sacral and Earth unless tarnished, in which case can clear all chakras and the energy field. Origin of Name & Mythology: Originally included with kupferkies in 1725 by Johann Friedrich Henckel.
What does bornite look like?
Physical Properties of Bornite Reddish brown or brownish red on a fresh surface. Iridescent purple, blue, and black on a tarnished surface. Color, tarnish, lower hardness than similar minerals.
Is bornite a rock or mineral?
bornite, a copper-ore mineral, copper and iron sulfide (Cu5FeS4). Typical occurrences are found in Mount Lyell, Tasmania; Chile; Peru; and Butte, Mont., U.S. Bornite, one of the common copper minerals, forms isometric crystals but is seldom found in these forms.
Where does the name bornite come from?
Bornite was first described in 1725 in an area which is now the Czech Republic. The name bornite is named for an Austrian mineralogist and paleontologist, Ignatius Von Born. Bornite is one of the most attractive minerals used for jewelry, though it does have a very high price associated with it.
Can you wash chalcopyrite?
Dilute hydrochloric acid will bring back the golden colour in minutes. Wash the specimen thoroughly afterwards and then soak it in water for a day to get rid of the remaining traces of acid.Jun 3, 2008
How do you identify chalcopyrite?
The most obvious physical properties of chalcopyrite are its brassy yellow color, metallic luster, and high specific gravity. These give it a similar appearance to pyrite and gold. Distinguishing these minerals is easy. Gold is soft, has a yellow streak and has a much higher specific gravity.
Is Rainbow chalcopyrite natural?
Even though brightly colored tarnish is a famous characteristic of chalcopyrite, it really isn't very common in Nature. You're much more likely to find bright rainbow tarnishes on iron oxide minerals.May 31, 2016
30th Mar 2013 04:37 UTCMichael Wisnev
From what I have read, it seems most of it, that is the Blue and red are bornite that has oxidized?? True?
30th Mar 2013 05:16 UTCStephanie Martin
Chalcopyrite / Peacock ore is treated to bring out the colours. Second pic label seems ok, could be bornite with chalco.
30th Mar 2013 14:19 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
The first is probably as Stephanie said treated Chalcopyrite, however the second may be Chalcocite. Freshly broken bornite is brown ( tarnishes in a few days to bluish grey) whereas freshly broken chacolcite is dark bluish grey. You will need to break a corner off to find out.
30th Mar 2013 18:11 UTCMichael Wisnev
Re the second piece, it is from New Mexico Mining Museum. http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/museum/. Thus, I am inclined to give its labels respect, tho I have no idea how rigorous their identification process is or isn't.
30th Mar 2013 20:18 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
Most of the "peacock ore" they sell is treated chalcopyrite probably because it stays colorful a lot longer ( indefinitely) and is cheaper to buy than bornite. Bornite is only relatively briefly colorful and eventually turns black which chalcopyrite will not do.
30th Mar 2013 23:52 UTCReiner Mielke Expert
Now that you pointed that out, I would say it is chalcocite. As for the Peacock Ore ( tarnished chalcopyrite) I am not sure how they do it but I have heard it involves some sort of acid treatment.
31st Mar 2013 03:16 UTCRock Currier Expert
Would someone take it upon them selves to write an article about peacock ore and iridescence in general? This is a question that is going to come up again and again.
What is the difference between pyrite and chalcopyrite?
The key difference between pyrite and chalcopyrite is that pyrite contains iron sulfide (FeS2) whereas chalcopyrite contains sulfides of copper and iron (CuFeS2). Despite having similar names and slightly similar chemical formula, their chemical properties are different, and they are used in different industrial applications.
Where does pyrite come from?
Sometimes, it is found in small quantities of gold too. The word “pyrite” is derived from the Greek word “pyr”, which has the meaning “fire”. It got this name since pyrite can create sparks when it hits another mineral or metal.
What is the chemical formula for pyrite?
Pyrite: Pyrite has the chemical formula FeS 2, and it is an iron sulfide mineral. Chalcopyrite: The chemical formula of chalcopyrite is CuFeS 2. It is a copper iron sulfide mineral which has a greater economic value since it is the most important copper ore on Earth.
Is pyrite oxidized?
Extent of Oxidization of Pyrite and Chalcopyrite: Pyrite: In general, finely crystallized pyrite minerals are relatively stable , and those are formed from sedimentary concentrations decomposes (The process of separation of a material into its constituents by a chemical reaction) quickly.
What is pyrite used for?
Pyrite: Pyrite is used to produce sulfur dioxide for the paper manufacturing process. It also uses to produce sulfuric acid by thermally decomposing pyrite (FeS 2) into iron (II) sulfide (FeS) and then to elemental sulfur at 540 °C; at 1 atm.
What are some examples of sulfates?
Examples of some sulfates are; bornite (Cu 5 FeS 4 ), chalcocite (Cu 2 S), covellite (CuS), digenite (Cu 9 S 5 ). Malachite Cu 2 CO 3 (OH) 2 is an example for a hydroxide and cuprite (Cu2O) ...
Is pyrite a gold?
In the ancient days, people misunderstood pyrite as gold since it possesses a yellowish metallic luster similar to gold. It is one of most commonly found sulfide minerals, and also it can be found with other oxides in quartz veins, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks. Sometimes, it is found in small quantities of gold too.
How long does it take for a chalcopyrite to leach?
Bornite and covellite leach much more slowly. Depending on the mineralogy of a heap, leach times may vary from ~90 days to three years. Chalcopyrite hardly reacts at all in heap leaching.
What are some examples of copper minerals?
Examples of this type of operation are located in the former Republic of Zaire (Komoto, Dima 1 and 2 plants), and the Nchanga open pit plant in Zambia.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of direct to copper smelting?
The principal advantage of direct-to-copper smelting is isolation of SO 2 evolution to one furnace. The principal disadvantage of the process is its large amount of Cu-in-slag. Balancing these factors, it appears that direct-to-copper smelting is best suited to concentrates containing covellite (Cu2 S) and bornite (Cu 5 FeS 4 ). Processing these concentrates produces little slag, so Cu recovery from slag is not too costly.
What are the principal sulfides that have been observed in oxidized mine wastes?
The principal sulfides that have been observed in oxidized mine wastes are marcasite [FeS 2] and covellite [CuS], which have distinctly different origins. The initial oxidation of pyrrhotite results in the solid-state diffusion of iron toward grain boundaries, at which the iron is oxidized (Pratt et al., 1994a, b; Pratt and Nesbitt, 1997 ). Upon further iron migration and the consequent enhanced sulfur enrichment of the original pyrrhotite, replacement by marcasite is effected. Hence, pseudomorphism of the pyrrhotite by marcasite and other oxidation products, including native sulfur, is common if leaching rates are not rapid.
