Chalcocite Facts
Chalcocite Facts
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| Interesting Chalcocite Facts: |
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| The name chalcocite comes from an alteration of the obsolete name chalcosine, from the Greek "khalkos" or "chalkos" meaning copper. |
| Chalcocite is sometimes known as redruthite, ducktownite, vitreous copper, and copper-glance. |
| At times, chalcocite may be found as a primary vein mineral in hydrothermal veins. Most chalcocite though occurs in the supergene enriched environment below the oxidization zone of copper deposits. |
| Chalcocite is usually found in sedimentary rocks. |
| The mining of chalcocite has taken place for centuries and is one of the most profitable ores due to its high copper content, which is nearly 80% by weight. |
| Chalcocite has been known to form pseudomorphs of the minerals chalcopyrite, pyrite, enargite, bornite, covellite, millerite, galena and sphalerite. |
| Pseudomorphs are minerals that replace other minerals atom by atom, though leaves intact the original mineral's crystals shape. |
| Chalcocite is a prized possession for mineral collectors and some will command extremely high prices, especially when in good crystals. |
| Chalcocite is found nearly all over the world. A classic locality for chalcocite is Cornwall, England, and large, well-formed crystals have come from Australia. |
| In China, and odd new form of the mineral has been found with iridescent root-like growths. |
| In the United States, the best specimens of chalcocite had come from mines in Connecticut. Other localities include those in Montana, Wisconsin, New Mexico, New Jersey, and a few others. |
| The minerals commonly associated with chalcocite include calcite, galena, quartz, chrysocolla, malachite, and bornite. |
| Similar but distinguishing minerals include galena, which have different crystals and cleavage; and acanthite, which is more sectile. |
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