The Mineral Chalcopyrite

[beetleman]

This is a common mineral, also called peacock ore because of its iriedescent blues, greens, yellows and purples. Most of the chunks we have are solid, but this one looked like it had some crystals in the matrix, so I decided to take a photo of it. Here is some more info on the mineral;
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/s ... alcopy.htm

[MacroLuv]

Fascinating! Crystals I saw were mostly salt.

[Ken Ramos]

Quite beautiful there Doug. I once thought of collecting rocks and some minerals shortly after acquiring my stereomicroscope but that is sort of on the back burner these days. Especially with a room full of lichens growing everywhere.

[beetleman]

On the subject of collecting lichens Ken...are you trying to keep them alive, like giving them light and moisture or just preserving them (drying them out)?

[crocoite]

Great colour Doug. Mt Lyell mine in western Tasmania produces a bit of peacock ore, but its actually the mineral bornite, not chalcopyrite. It's very popular with the tourists. So much so, that the locals take brassy-coloured chalcopyrite and 'pickle' it to produce the iridescent hues.

[beetleman]

Hi Steve, The Chalcopyrite we get is usually listed as coming from Mexico. The kids love to buy it because of its color. I did not know that humans "pickle" them to speed the tarnishing of the colors, But I am not surprised. I am not sure if this one was naturally tarnished or "Enhanced" After looking up Bornite, they are saying the it is used in the trade as Peacock Ore "SO I Don`t know. I know it`s pretty and makes a good picture
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/s ... ornite.htm

[crocoite]

I am not sure if this one was naturally tarnished or "Enhanced"

Hi Doug. Don't think that there is any way, unless you smell it straight after it has been done