Chalcopyrite is a common copper sulfide mineral, chemical formula CuFeS2, pure chalcopyrite with Cu34.6%, Fe30.5%, S34.9%. Four-sided partial triangular crystal crystal class, they showed mostly false tetrahedral or octahedral shape. Mohs hardness 3-4, specific gravity 4.1-4.3g/cm3, cleavage are not well developed, often has irregular-shaped fracture, brass, yellow or green-yellow, often mixed with a spot-like Qiang color. Opaque, metallic luster, electrical conductivity. Wider distribution of chalcopyrite can be formed in a variety of conditions, is the most important metal sulfide copper minerals and copper raw material.
Chalcopyrite and pyrite, as in the wild easily be mistaken for gold, it is also known as "fools gold." Identification characteristics: copper pyrite, light yellow, often with green, yellow copper, and native gold often reddish tone; yellow gold is slightly higher than the hardness of copper, while less than pyrite; three of the proportion of yellow Copper minimum (4.1-4.3), followed by pyrite (4.9-5.2), (naturally) the largest gold (19.3). |
