Chalcocite
Chalcocite (/ˈkælkəˌsaɪt/), copper(I) sulfide (Cu2S), is an important copper ore mineral. It is opaque and dark gray to black, with a metallic luster. It has a hardness of 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale. It is a sulfide with a monoclinic crystal system.
| Chalcocite | |
|---|---|
Chalcocite from Cornwall | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfide minerals |
| Formula (repeating unit) | copper(I) sulfide: Cu2S |
| IMA symbol | Cc |
| Strunz classification | 2.BA.05a |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
| Space group | P21/c |
| Unit cell | a = 15.246(4) Å, b = 11.884(2) Å, c = 13.494(3) Å; β = 116.35(1)°; Z = 48 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Dark gray to black |
| Crystal habit | Tabular to prismatic crystals also massive to granular, (pseudo-orthorhombic) |
| Twinning | Common on {110} yielding pseudohexagonal stellate forms |
| Cleavage | Indistinct on {110} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Tenacity | Brittle to sectile |
| Mohs scale hardness | 2+1⁄2–3 |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Streak | Shiny black to lead gray |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 5.5–5.8 |
| Fusibility | 2–2.5 |
| References | |
The term chalcocite from the Greek khalkos, meaning "copper". It is also known as redruthite, vitreous copper, or copper-glance.
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