Copper Ores

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(C) Vin Callcut 2002-2008  Small extracts can be used with acknowledgements to 'Oldcopper.org website'

 

Collectable Copper Ores and Minerals

 
 

 

This is a selection of the most commonly collected copper ores.  Also included are a few other interesting ores of metals often alloyed with copper such as zinc, lead and bismuth.  Illustrations will be added later.

The descriptions are mostly those of the vendors and give some of the fascinating background to the collection.  They cannot always be verified.  There are variations in terminology, spellings and formulae that may be regional or accidental.  Most spellings are English (UK).  The chemical descriptions and formulae given at the end of a paragraph apply to the primary subject.

For more information and illustrations, reference should be made to some of the many excellent sites run by geological specialists.

http://www.geocities.com/alt_cosmos/minerals/c.html

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/byname.htm

http://www.mindat.org/index.php

and 'eBay' listings.

 

 
     

 

 Chemical symbols used:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al

Aluminium

Mn

Manganese

As

Arsenic

N

Nitrogen

Au

Gold

Na

Sodium

C

Carbon

O

Oxygen

Ca

Calcium

P

Phosphorus

Cd

Cadmium

Pb

Lead

Cl

Chlorine

S

Sulphur

Co

Cobalt

Sb

Antimony

Cu

Copper

Si

Silicon

H

Hydrogen

Sn

Tin

Fe

Iron

Te

Tellurium

K

Potassium

Zn

Zinc

 

 

 

 

 

 Native copper

 

 

 

 

2634

Adamite (Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide) from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Colorado.  A 20mm long large double-terminated adamite crystal is growing with a classic "fan" of adamite crystals. There are some unidentified crystals on the back, possibly an odd form of campylite, uncommon at Ojuela Mine.  Adamite is Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide Zn2AsO4(OH).  Size 75 x 68 x 25mm.

 

2635

Adamite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico. A couple of exceptionally long (for their width) lustrous slender adamite crystals that really stand out against the dark limonitic matrix. Size 40 x 30 x 30mm.  (Zinc Arsenate Hydroxide Zn2AsO4(OH).)

 

2758

Ajoite  from Shattuck Mine, Bisbee, Arizona. Ajoite is found in 1-2 mm thick veins cutting rock. The bluish-green areas in the photo are open sides of veins. Some rich areas of dark blue Shattuckite balls & masses. Minor minute micro greenish-brown Fornacite crystals. Matrix is Chrysocolla, Hematite, Quartz, & a black lustrous (not black Chrysocolla) mineral.  Size 100 x 80 x 67 mm. Weight 458g (1lb) (Hydrated Potassium Sodium Copper Aluminium Silicate Hydroxide (K,Na)Cu7AlSi9O24(OH)6.3H2O ) 

 

2701

Ankerite from  Port Quin (OS Ref: SW 971 806)  St Endellion  North Cornish coast. (Calcium Iron Magnesium Manganese Carbonate , Ca(Fe, Mg, Mn)(CO3)2  ) 

 

 

ANTLERITE (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide) Cu3(SO4)(OH)4

 

2689

Apatite as Carbonate Fluor Apatite from Gunnislake Clitters, Cornwall.  46 x 38 x 28mm, Weight 51g.  (Calcium Phosphate complex,  Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl),)   

 

2510

Arthurite (Hydrated Copper Iron Arsenate Phosphate Sulphate Hydroxide), a rare copper iron arsenate in the form of a thin apple green coating on Elvan.   It is typically green and forms small acicular crystals. Size approx 50 x 25 x13mm.  (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3)

 

2573

Atacamite crystals from the Mount Gunson Mine, S. Australia. The specimen consists of very many small green crystals of hydrated copper chloride.  Size 26 x 25mm. (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3)

 

2609

Atacamite with included Selenite, a high quality aesthetic specimen of clear gemmy terminated and double terminated selenite crystals on a base of drusy blue chrysocolla and dark green atacamite crystals from the Lily Mine, Pisco Province, Ica Dept. Peru. The selenites are gemmy clear crystals from 2 to 13mm long with good terminations – they are green from atacamite that is included within the crystals. Size 40 x 25mm.  (Copper Chloride Hydroxide, Cu2Cl(OH)3)

 

2605

Aurichalcite from the 79 Mine, Gila Co, Arizona, this specimen features needles of bright blue aurichalcite on all faces except the bottom. The needles range up to 3mm, and the overall dimensions are 25 x 22mm.  (Zinc Copper Carbonate Hydroxide (Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6 )

 

2565

Azurite, and malachite crystals on a matrix.  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate), Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2

 

2686

Azurite  from Ting Tang mine Gwennapp, Cornwall.  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate), Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2

 

2594

Azurite, Malachite and Cuprite, probably from Arizona.  It could be cut to some bright Cabochons (Cabs). Picture taken wet. Size 80 x 60 x 6mm.  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)

 

2593

Azurite, Malachite and Cuprite in a copper mineral nodule that has been clipped on both ends to reveal the structure. It is very solid with no fractures showing. Picture taken wet. Size 110 x 80 x 67, weighs 1,500g, 2 lb 3 oz.  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)

 

2670

Azurite/Malachite.  Azurite is well known for its unparalleled colour, a deep blue called "azure".  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)

 

2649

Azurite & Malachite in Conglomerate from New Mexico. Weight 730g (1lb 10oz).  (Hydrated Copper Carbonate, Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2).

 

2779

Barite, pink / white crystalline Barite, from Devon. Size approx 50 x 25 x 3mm.  (Barium Sulphate, BaSO4

 

 

Balyakinite, first discovered in Russia in 1980.  (Copper Tellurium Oxide, Cu,TeO3),

 

2702

Bayldonite from Penberthy Croft Mine, Cornwall.  (Hydrated Copper Lead Arsenate Hydroxide Cu3Pb(AsO4)2 - H2O).    

 

 

Beaverite, a rare lemon yellow secondary mineral found near San Francisco in the oxidized zone over lead-bearing deposits.  (Pb(Cu,Fe,Al)3(SO4))2(OH)6 .     

 

2687

Binheimite from Trevinnick Mine (a complex lead-antimony hydroxide, Pb2Sb2O6(O,OH) ).

 

2835

Boleite, Rich Blue Cube, Ag Cu Pb Chloride, Specimens with natural matrix are extremely rare because the crystals are usually in a clay-like material that falls apart when dry. This is a tiny crystal, 2 mm. on a side from Amelia Mine, Santa Rosalia, Baja California (Hydrated Lead Copper Silver Chloride Hydroxide (Pb26Cu24Ag10Cl62(OH)48.3H2O.) 

 

2618

Boulangerite from Wheal Emily, Wembury, Devon.  Size 40mm. (Lead Antimony Sulphide,  Pb5Sb4S11)

 

2688

Brochantite, with Copper, Cuprite & Langite from Wheal Garland, Cornwall. (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide, Cu4SO4(OH)6

 

2631

Brochantite from Blanchard Claims, Bingham, New Mexico. Tight tufts of brochantite crystals are scattered across the display surface. This specimen has a lot more brochantite on it than normal. Size  50 x 30 x 15mm (2 x 1.5 x .6 inches). (Copper Sulphate Hydroxide Cu4SO4(OH)6 ).

 

 

Buttgenbachite (Hydrated Copper Nitrate Chloride Hydroxide  Cu19(NO3)2Cl4(OH)32.2H2O. )

 

2703

Calcite, Nail Head,  from Greystones Quarry (OS Ref: SX 362 794)  Lezant, near Launceston. Cornwall.  Size 53 x 31mm (2 x 1 1/4"), weight 43g.  (Calcium Carbonate, Ca CO3,) 

 

 

Caledonite (Copper Lead Carbonate Sulphate Hydroxide), Cu2Pb5CO3(SO 4)3(OH)6.

 

6094

Campylite, Drygill, Cumberland, England. museum quality campylite from this classic locality. Lustrous, shining crystals richly intergrown on quartz and barite matrix. Crystals are up to 5mm, specimen is 3.5 x 3 inches.  Campylite, a variety of Mimetite, (Lead Chloroarsenate  Pb5(AsO4)3Cl )  

 

2570

Carrolite crystal from the Democratic Republic of Congo . This is an excellent and highly lustrous crystal of the rare cobalt mineral Carrolite  from the Kambove Mine, near Likasi, Congo. The specimen is 32 by 24 mm in size, with the crystal located in the centre surrounded by some pink Cobaltocalcite. Size 34 x 24mm  Weight 13g.  (Copper-cobalt-nickel sulphide, Cu (Co,Ni)2S4 )

 

2623

Alluvial Cassiterite pebble  from a Cornish beach. The Cassiterite makes up approx 50% of the pebble and is in the form of a light brown fine-grained type. The remainder of the pebble is grey Killas and vein milky quartz. Size approx 75 x 50 x 40mm.  Weight 243g.  (Tin oxide, SnO2)

 

2638

Cassiterite as a dark brown vein specimen from Cornwall's last Tin mine, now closed, South Crofty Mine, Pool, Redruth, Cornwall. (No 5 Draw Point, 17/8/97) Size 50 x 25 x 25mm (2 x 1 x 1 inches).  Weight 151g.  (Tin oxide, SnO2)

 

2557

Cassiterite as a heavy fine grained light brown vein in the middle of a milky white quartz matrix. Specimen is from a long abandoned old Cornish Tin Mine. Specimen measures approx 75 x 75 x 25mm (3 x 3 x 1").  Weight 236g.  (Tin oxide, SnO2)

 

2669

Chalcanthite these are actually artificially grown copper sulphate crystals up to 13mm long on a 42mm limestone matrix.  Weight 18g. (Hydrated Copper Sulphate, CuSO4.5H20)

 

2804

Cerussite, it shows the sheen like crystal formation. Size 47 x 26mm, weight 116g.  (White Lead Ore, PbCO3 )

 

2759

Chalcoalumite from Lavender Pit, Bisbee, Arizona, the best locality for the mineral. Rich blue to green crusts of minute sparkling micro crystals, some with a thin iron oxide stain, covering most of the top of rock.  Also present are a few Cuprite crystals.  (Hydrated copper aluminium sulphate, CuAl4[(OH)12SO4].3H2O )

 

6108

Chalcocite, large showy piece from the Junction Shaft at Bisbee, rare old stock, rare old locality, you won't find this stuff around much anymore!  Dimensions: 3.5" x 2.0" x 1.5"  weight: 7.1 ounces (200 grams)  colour: glittery, rich  (Copper Sulphide, Cu2S )

 

2690

Chalcophyllite crystals on matrix from Wheal Gorland.  Size 44 x 42 x 40mm.  Weight 18g.  (Hydrated copper aluminium sulphate arsenate hydroxide,  Cu18Al2(AsO4)3(SO4)3(OH)27.33H2O )

 

2704

Chalcopyrite and Sphalerite (Zinc Iron Sulphide or Blende, (Zn, Fe)S, from Wheal Garland (OS Ref SW 730 427) St Day, Gwennap. Cornwall.  Size 34 x 30 x 22mm.  Weight 25g.  (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2).

 

2641

Chalcopyrite Crystals from a Cornish quarry.  Size 110 x 70 x 70mm (4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3").  Weight 365g (13oz).  (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2)

 

2672

Chalcopyrite crystals 2-4mm long across quartz.  Size 110 x 70 x 70.  Weight 570g (1lb 4oz).  (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2).

 

2586

Chalcopyrite with sphalerite, quartz and pyrite from the Huaron mine, San Jose de Huayllay District, Pasco Department, Peru. The specimen was very hard to photograph and is much better in person. Size 55 x 35 mm. Weight 75g.  (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2).

 

2568

Chalcopyrite, (Copper iron sulphide, Copper pyrite, CuFeS2)  iridescent purplish and bluish crystals from the Viburnum Trend, Missouri.  Size  34 x 27 mm.  Weight 23g.  (Copper Iron Sulphide, CuFeS2).

 

2558

Chalcosiderite as small dark apple green micro crystals on a rich brown liminitic gossan.  Size  100 x 25 x 25mm (4 x 1 x 1").  Weight 91g (3oz).  (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O).

 

2792

Chalcosiderite (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O) from Phoenix United Mine, Liskeard, Cornwall showing rare apple green micro crystals of Chalcosiderite scattered over a rich Iron Goethite / Limonite matrix. Size 90 x 50 x 50mm (3.5 x 2 x 2 inches).  Weight 218g (8oz).  (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O).

 

2511

Chalcosiderite, a rare specimen from Stones Lode, Phoenix United Mine, Minions, Cornwall.  The Chalcosiderite crystals are of a deep apple green colour on a very heavy quartz/iron gossan. Size 50 x 50 x 50mm.  Weight 150g (5oz). (Hydrated Copper Iron Phosphate Hydroxide CuFe6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O).

 

2691

Chenevixite from Wheal Gorland (OS Ref:  SW 730 427) St Day, Gwennap. Cornwall. It is a complex mineral and Wheal Gorland is the classic source.  Size 26 x 20 15mm.  Weight 5g. (Copper iron arsenate, Cu2Fe2(AsO4)2(OH)4.H2O)

 

2613

Chrysocolla Stalactite  -  Arizona A nice specimen that features white chalcedony coating deep blue/green chrysocolla stalactites. The locale is the Ballpark Bench, Ray Mine, Pinal Co, Arizona. The specimen is very aesthetic, and has deep blue chrysocolla stalactites from 3 to 22mm tall (1/8” to 7/8”). Size overall 25 x 17 (1” x 5/8”).  Weight approx 5g.  (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O)

 

2666

Chrysocolla. This piece displays a very light blue/green Chrysocolla of botryoidal habit covering a layer of concentric Malachite from Democratic Republic of Congo.    Size 75 x 55 x 20mm,  weight  71g.  (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O)

 

2434

Chrysocolla/ azurite and azurite layering, smithsonite on and in, limonite, cuprite with some chalcocite. It is of botryoidal form, shaped like a cluster of grapes.  Size 95 x 60 x 50 (3 3/4" x 2 1/2" x 2"). Weight 220g (8oz).. (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O).

 

2677

Chrysocolla, showing blue and green with fluorescent green opal. This is hydrated copper silicate.  It is 130 x 50 x 60mm. Weight 466g (1lb). (Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O).

 

2433

Chrysocolla/quartz/malachite/turquoise, red heamatite and a little chalcocite veins. This is from a private mine in Central Pinal Co, AZ. Occurrence is secondary copper enrichment of copper vein. . Size 70 x 55 x 25mm (2 3/4" x 2 1/4" x 1", weight  112g, 2oz…(Hydrated copper silicate CuSiO3.H2O)

 

2760

Cinnabar mercury ore from Shizhuan Prov., China Terminated 10 mm crystal on micro Quartz & Dolomite crystals. 24 x 23 x 23 mm. (Mercury Sulphide HgS )

 

6109

 

Clinoclase, Rare Copper Mineral  thumbnail specimen of deep blue xls of the copper arsenate mineral from the Tin Stope at Majuba Hill, Pershing County, Nevada.  (Copper Arsenate Hydroxide.  Cu3AsO4(OH)3 )

 

6105

CLINOCLASE  (Copper Arsenate Hydroxide).  It is comprised of numerous small crystals and crystal aggregates which are a beautiful azure blue and blue-green color set against a backdrop of mixed secondary Copper minerals.  One side has the largest patch of Clinoclase, while the other side has more evenly distributed Clinoclase with other gorgeous bright green and Turquoise blue Copper minerals.  This lovely specimen is 2.25 inches by 1.4 inches by 1.1 inches.  It weighs 38 grams.

 

2569

Conichcalcite, showing a green  bytroidal shape, coming from the famous Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Mexico.  Size 37 x 27mm.  (Copper Calcium Arsenate, CaCu(AsO4)(OH))  

 

2603

Conichcalcite from Gold Hill, Utah. (Copper Calcium Arsenate, CaCu(AsO4)(OH)). 

 

2514

Connellite. Rich blue velvety blue Connellite balls with green bladed Brochantite from: Relistian Mine, Wall, Nr Gwithian, Cornwall.. This is a very nice specimen that can easily be seen with a loupe.   Size: 45 x 25 x 15mm. (Hydrated Copper Sulphate Chloride Hydroxide Cu19SO4Cl4(OH)32.3H2O).

 

2825

Chrysotile, ( Magnesium Iron Silicate Hydroxide (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4 )  Beautiful Pale Silky Fibres, Ariz, asbestos ore with long (harmless) fibres.  This is classic chrysotile asbestos but fibres are too long to pose any health threat as long as the specimen is not excessively fondled! Glistening veinlet without  matrix, fibre length about 1 cm. Thumbnail specimen, about 1.1 inch across. Collected in the Salt River Canyon, Gila Co., Arizona.