CHALCOPYRITE SPECIMENS

Chalcopyrite is a brassy yellow mineral that is the most important ore of copper. Known for its metallic luster and golden coloration, chalcopyrite can often resemble gold, earning it the nickname “fool’s gold” alongside pyrite. However, chalcopyrite has a distinct iridescent tarnish that can display vibrant hues of blue, purple, green, and red, making it a popular specimen among mineral collectors. Its crystalline structure is usually tetragonal, and it commonly forms in compact masses or as small, well-defined crystals.

This mineral is found in many types of geological environments, especially in hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic zones, and porphyry copper deposits. Chalcopyrite frequently occurs alongside minerals such as pyrite, quartz, calcite, and sphalerite, often making up large, visually appealing mineral associations.