Delafossite

delafossite

malachite

tenorite

cuprite

Images

Formula: Cu¹⁺Fe³⁺O₂
Oxide, delafossite group
Crystal system: Trigonal
Specific gravity: 5.41 measured, 5.52 calculated
Hardness: 5½
Streak: Black
Colour: Black, brown-white in reflected light
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Delafossite occurs principally as a secondary mineral near the base of the oxidised zone of copper deposits; less commonly as a primary mineral. Associated minerals include cuprite, copper, tenorite, malachite, hematite and kaolinite (HOM).

Localities

At the type locality, the Mednorudyanskoye Cu Deposit, Nizhnii Tagil, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia, delafossite occurs as a secondary mineral near the base of the oxidised zone of the deposit. Associated Minerals include native copper, cuprite, hematite, kaolinite, malachite and tenorite (Mindat).
Delafossite from the Mednorudyanskoye Cu Deposit - Image

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