What is the name of red copper ore?
Cuprite is an oxide class mineral, copper oxide, the chemical composition of which is expressed by the formula Cu2O. Native copper is often used as a mechanical impurity.
In the form of earthy aggregates called “red copper» cuprite was described by Georg Agricola back in 1546. In Russia under the name “cuprite“This mineral has become known since 1735, when it was first discovered in the Urals. The first detailed description of this mineral was compiled in 1783 by the French crystallographer J.B. Rome de Lisle (JB Romé de Lisle). For almost half a century, various mineral scientists assigned the following names to cuprite: “red copper glass“,”copper brick ore“,”ruberite“,”ruby copper“,”octahedral copper ore“and others. And finally, in 1845, the Austrian mineralogist and physicist W. Haidinger (Wilhelm Karl Rittervon Haidinger) described this mineral in his book and assigned it the modern name “cuprite“, which comes from the Latin “cuprum” – “copper”. Synonyms: red copper ore. Varieties: brick ore (a mixture of cuprite and limonite); chalcotrichite (needle-shaped or hair-like crystals of cuprite). The color of cuprite is bright red, thick carmine red, brown with a reddish tint, sometimes almost black with red internal reflections. Cuprite forms small crystals of octahedral, cubic or dodecahedral shape, the size of which usually does not exceed a few centimeters. Occasionally, needle-shaped, hair-like and voluminous skeletal crystals are found. But more often, cuprite is found in the form of solid granular aggregates, earthy, cryptocrystalline masses, often mixed with other minerals. Sometimes it forms crusts and films on native copper.
Hardness 3,5 – 4.
Fragile.
Cleavage is average.
The luster of crystals when fractured is diamond or semi-metallic, while that of aggregates is matte. The fracture is uneven and conchoidal. Translucent, opaque, very rarely transparent. Easily dissolves in nitric and hydrochloric acids. With prolonged exposure to sunlight, crystals lose their shine and their color darkens. Satellite minerals: native copper, azurite, malachite, atacamite, calcite, chrysocolla, chalcocite, iron oxides, copper sulfides, etc. Cuprite is a typical supergene mineral. It is formed in the oxidation zone of copper deposits due to primary copper sulfides and secondary chalcocite. As a rule, it does not form large accumulations. Pseudomorphoses on malachite cuprite, as well as native copper, azurite, atacamite, and tenorite are widespread. The best examples of cuprite crystals in the world are mined at the Rubtsovskoye deposit in the Altai Territory in our country. Also, good samples of cuprite were found in Namibia, Zaire, USA (Bisbee), France (Chessy), Kazakhstan (Dzhezkazgan). Cuprite is a component of complex copper ores for copper smelting. Transparent and brightly colored crystals and spectacular needle-like aggregates are highly sought after by collectors. Cuprite is rarely used in jewelry production due to its low hardness. It is believed that cuprite balances the emotions of its owner and helps cope with aggression and irritation. With its help, a person begins to have a philosophical attitude towards life, stops worrying about trifles and about what is no longer possible to change. For those people who are keen on the theory of “transmigration of souls”, this mineral will be a good helper in remembering their past incarnations. In addition, cuprite improves relationships between generations, helping parents better understand their children and children finding a common language with their parents. According to lithotherapists, cuprite has a beneficial effect on the circulatory and nervous systems, kidneys, and thymus gland. It helps enrich muscle tissue with oxygen, has a positive effect on the female cycle and helps in the fight against addictions, especially alcohol. From an astrological point of view, this mineral is recommended for people born under the signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Areas of expertise: Natural oxides and hydroxides Syngony: Cubic Other names: Red copper ore (obsolete) Mohs hardness (minimum value): 3,5 arb. units Density (minimum value): 6,14 g/cm³ Cuprite (from Latin cuprum – copper; the name is given by composition; outdated synonym – red copper ore), a mineral of the oxide class, Cu2O. Often the composition contains a mechanical admixture of native copper. Cuprite crystallizes in the cubic system.
Forms of location. Properties
The crystals are usually small, cubic, octahedral or rhombododecahedral, less often needle-shaped or hair-like (so-called chalcotrichite). There were crystals up to 3 cm in diameter (near Lyon, France). Usually forms solid granular aggregates, sometimes dense earthy masses. Intergrowth of cuprite crystals. Rubtsovskoye field (Altai region, Russia). Intergrowth of cuprite crystals. Rubtsovskoye field (Altai region, Russia). The color ranges from various shades of red in granular aggregates to almost black in crystals; Diamond or semi-metallic luster. Hardness on the Mohs scale 3,5–4; density 6,14 g/cm 3 (belongs to the group of heavy minerals). The cleavage is clear. The fracture is conchoidal and uneven. Fragile.
Origin. Practical significance. Place of Birth
Cuprite is formed through the process of hypergenesis. Widely distributed in the oxidation zone of copper deposits in association with native copper, malachite, azurite, etc. It usually does not form large accumulations. In the later stages of formation of oxidation zones, cuprite is usually replaced by other supergene minerals. It is a component of copper ores. Deposits are known in Russia (in the Urals, Altai, etc.), Germany, Great Britain, Australia, the USA and other countries. Pekova Natalya Anatolevna Published January 20, 2023 at 19:26 (GMT+3). Last updated January 20, 2023 at 19:26 (GMT+3). Contact the editors Information Areas of expertise: Natural oxides and hydroxides Syngony: Cubic Other names: Red copper ore (obsolete) Mohs hardness (minimum value): 3,5 arb. units Density (minimum value): 6,14 g/cm³
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