Djurleite

djurleite

chalcocite

digenite

bornite

Images

Formula:Cu31S16
Sulphide
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Specific gravity: 5.749 calculated
Hardness: 2½ to 3
Streak: Black
Colour: Black, grey in reflected light
Common impurities: Ag,Fe
Environments

Hydrothermal environments

Djurleite is very similar to chalcocite and it is difficult to distinguish between them. Djurleite occurs in the secondary enrichment zones of copper deposits (Mindat, Webmin, HOM), associated with digenite, bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, anilite and pyrite (HOM, Mindat).

Localities

At Red Gill mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England, UK, djurleite has been confirmed. Grey copper sulphides are quite common here as small blebs in quartz and often occur as replacements of chalcopyrite and galena, indicating a period of supergene enrichment at this site. Several of the early linarite specimens have relatively large amounts of grey copper sulphide in their matrix (JRS 11.36).

Near Groby, Leicestershire, England, UK, a specimen from Bradgate Middle Quarry contains djurleite as a finely-intergrown mixture with bornite and minor hematite (JRS 14.54).

At Lane’s Hill Quarry, Stoney Stanton, Leicestershire, England, UK, djurleite has been found embedded in ir‏on-rich dolomite with minor quartz (JRS 20.14).

At the California State Gem Mine, Santa Rita Peak, New Idria Mining District, San Benito county, California, USA, djurleite has been found with benitoite (MP#3 p8).

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