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chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite (copper pyrites) Most common copper mineral, CuFeS2; sp. gr. 4.1–4.3; hardness 3.5–4.0; tetragonal; brass-yellow, often with an iridescent tarnish; greenish-black streak; metallic lustre; sometimes massive, crystals usually tetrahedra; cleavage imperfect pyrrhotine; primary mineral found in igneous rocks and hydrothermal veins, in association with pyrite, pyrrhotine, cassiterite, sphalerite, galena, calcite, and quartz, an important mineral in porphyry copper deposits, and also occurs in quartz diorite, and in pegmatites, crystalline schists, porphyry copper deposits, syngenetic copper ores and skarns, and contact metamorphic zones. It is deeper in colour than pyrite, more brittle and harder than gold, is soluble in nitric acid, and its alteration products are secondary copper minerals. It is a major ore mineral for copper.
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AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "chalcopyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "chalcopyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-chalcopyrite.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "chalcopyrite." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-chalcopyrite.html |
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chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite or copper pyrites , brass-yellow mineral, sometimes with an iridescent tarnish. It is a sulfide of copper and iron, CuFeS 2 . It crystallizes in the tetragonal system but is usually found in the massive form. Chalcopyrite is of primary origin and occurs in igneous and metamorphic rocks and in metalliferous veins. It is an important ore of copper and is widely distributed throughout the world. |
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Cite this article
"chalcopyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "chalcopyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chalcopy.html "chalcopyrite." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-chalcopy.html |
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chalcopyrite
chalcopyrite (copper pyrites) Opaque, brass-coloured, copper iron sulphide (CuFeS2); the most important copper ore. It is found in sulphide veins and in igneous and contact metamorphic rocks. The crystals are tetragonal but often occur in masses. Hardness 3.5–4; r.d. 4.2.
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Cite this article
"chalcopyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "chalcopyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-chalcopyrite.html "chalcopyrite." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-chalcopyrite.html |
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