Chalcopyrite Mineral Data

Chalcopyrite Mineral Data +

General Chalcopyrite Information

Chemical Formula:

CuFeS2

Composition:

Molecular Weight = 183.53 gm

Iron 30.43 % Fe

Copper 34.63 % Cu

Sulfur 34.94 % S

______

100.00 %

Empirical Formula:

CuFe²⁺S₂

Environment:

Common in sulfide veins and disseminated in igneous rocks.

IMA Status:

Valid Species (Pre-IMA) 1747

Locality:

Numerous localities world wide. The most economically important mineral in porphyry copper deposits. Link to MinDat.org Location Data.

Name Origin:

From the Greek, chalkos, "copper" hence "Copper Pyrite."

Synonym:

ICSD 2518

PDF 35-752

Chalcopyrite Image

Images:

Click Here for Larger Chalcopyrite Image

Chalcopyrite Quartz

Comments: Well-formed crystals of chalcopyrite and quartz.
Location: Boldut mine, 61 level (350 meters deep), Cavnic, Maramures, Rumania. Scale: 5.5 x 3.5 cm.
© Fabre Minerals

Images:

Chalcopyrite Moncheite

Comments: White moncheite with chalcopyrite (orange, blue and violet tarnishing colors) in silicate matrix. Polished section (from microprobe analysis) in reflected light.
Location: Lukkulaisvaara ultrabasic Massif, Olanga (Oulanka) River, Oulanka plutonic complex, Karelia Republic, Northern Region, Russia. Scale: Picture size 0.11 mm.
© Thomas Witzke / Abraxas-Verlag

Images:

Chalcopyrite Oulankaite Telargpalite Tulameenite

Comments: Gray long-prismatic crystal of oulankaite with light grayish telargpalite and pale yellowish-white rims of tulameenite in massive yellowish chalcopyrite. Polished section (from microprobe analysis) in reflected light.
Location: Lukkulaisvaara ultrabasic Massif, Olanga (Oulanka) River, Oulanka plutonic complex, Karelia Republic, Northern Region, Russia. Scale: Picture size 0.12 mm.
© Thomas Witzke / Abraxas-Verlag

Chalcopyrite Crystallography

Axial Ratios:

a:c = 1:1.97159

Cell Dimensions:

a = 5.28, c = 10.41, Z = 4; V = 290.21 Den(Calc)= 4.20

Crystal System:

Tetragonal - ScalenohedralH-M Symbol (4 2m) Space Group: I 42d

$Help on X Ray Diffraction:$ X Ray Diffraction:

By Intensity(I/I_o): 3.03(1), 1.854(0.8), 1.591(0.6),

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Crystal Structure:

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Hall S R , Stewart J M , Acta Crystallographica, Section B , 29 (1973) p.579-585, The crystal structure refinement of chalcopyrite, CuFeS2

Physical Properties of Chalcopyrite

Cleavage:

[112] Indistinct

Color:

Brass yellow, Honey yellow.

Density:

4.1 - 4.3, Average = 4.19

Diaphaniety:

Opaque

Fracture:

Brittle - Generally displayed by glasses and most non-metallic minerals.

Habit:

Druse - Crystal growth in a cavity which results in numerous crystal tipped surfaces.

Habit:

Euhedral Crystals - Occurs as well-formed crystals showing good external form.

Habit:

Striated - Parallel lines on crystal surface or cleavage face.

Hardness:

3.5 - Copper Penny

Luminescence:

None.

Luster:

Metallic

Magnetism:

Magnetic after heating

Streak:

greenish black

Optical Properties of Chalcopyrite

RL Anisotrophism:

Weak.

Reflectivity

**Standardized Intensity (100%) Reflection Spectra of Chalcopyrite in Air**
λ	R₁	R₂	∑ R₁(λ)	∑ R₂(λ)
400 nm	12.60	14.80
420 nm	16.30	18.00
440 nm	20.00	21.20
460 nm	23.60	25.00
480 nm	27.00	28.60
500 nm	30.20	31.70
520 nm	33.00	34.30
540 nm	35.10	36.40
560 nm	36.80	38.00
580 nm	38.20	39.30
600 nm	39.30	40.40
620 nm	40.10	41.00
640 nm	40.70	41.60
660 nm	41.10	41.90
680 nm	41.40	42.00
700 nm	41.40	41.80

**Calculated Relative Intensity Colors of Chalcopyrite in Air**
Relative Intensity	0%	50%	100%	150%	200%	250%	300%	350%	400%	420%
R₁
R₂

Calculated Properties of Chalcopyrite

Electron Density:

r_electron=3.98 gm/cc
note: r_Chalcopyrite=4.20 gm/cc.

Fermion Index

Fermion Index = 0.00907
Boson Index = 0.99093

Photoelectric:

PE_Chalcopyrite= 26.59 barns/electron
U=PE_Chalcopyrite x r_electron= 105.88 barns/cc.

Radioactivity:

GRapi = 0 (Gamma Ray American Petroleum Institute Units)

Chalcopyrite is Not Radioactive

Chalcopyrite Classification

Dana Class:

2.9.1.1 (2)Sulfides - Including Selenides and Tellurides

(2.9)where Am Bn Xp, with (m+n):p=1:1

(2.9.1)Chalcopyrite Group (Tetragonal: I4¯2d)

2.9.1.1 Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 I 42d 4 2m

2.9.1.2 Eskebornite CuFeSe2 I 42d 4 2m

2.9.1.3 Gallite CuGaS2 I 42d 4 2m

2.9.1.4 Roquesite CuInS2 I 42d 4 2m

2.9.1.5 Lenaite AgFeS2 I 42d 4 2m

2.9.1.6 Laforetite! AgInS2 I 42d 4 2m

Strunz Class:

II/C.03-10 II - Sulfides and sulphosalts

II/C - Sulfides with metal: sulfur, selenium and tellurium = 1:1

II/C.03 - Chalcopyrite group and related compounds

II/C.03-10 Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 I 42d 4 2m

II/C.03-20 Eskebornite CuFeSe2 I 42d 4 2m

II/C.03-25 Lenaite AgFeS2 I 42d 4 2m

II/C.03-30 Gallite CuGaS2 I 42d 4 2m

II/C.03-40 Roquesite CuInS2 I 42d 4 2m

II/C.03-50 Laforetite! AgInS2 I 42d 4 2m

Other Chalcopyrite Information

References:

NAME( Sinkankas66) PHYS. PROP.(Enc. of Minerals,2nd ed.,1990) OPTIC PROP.(AntBidBlaNic1)

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Chalcopyrite

CuFeS2
Dana No: 2.9.1.1 Strunz No: II/C.03-10
Locality:

Notes: